On the 100th day, Coalition unites behind Burton

DÁIL SKETCH:Political ammunition was saved for the Government's next 100 days in office

IT WAS the beginning of a long day marking the Government’s first 100 days. In the Dáil, Fianna Fail’s Eamon Ó Cuív addressed Tánaiste and Labour leader Eamon Gilmore on the issue.

“I am sure he has found out in the 100 days that whatever about it being Frankfurt’s way, it is certainly Fine Gael’s way in government.”

Rounding on Ó Cuív, the Labour leader thanked him for his “congratulations” on the Government’s achievements over that time, as he embarked on a familiar Coalition theme when dismissing criticism by the Soldiers of Destiny.

“I am sure he will have noticed that, unlike during the 14 years in which he served in office, the Government spent its 100 days working and not on holidays, as had been the practice in the past.”

Ó Cuív retreated, no doubt saving his political ammunition for the next 100 and more days when matters may be more challenging for the Government.

Joe Higgins of the Socialist Party complained about the Government’s guillotine cutting short the debate on the Social Welfare and Pensions Bill, contrary to a Government promise made before the 100 days began.

The Bill increases the pension age to 68 and and reverses the previous government’s reduction of the minimum wage.

Higgins claimed that Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton had become a “misnomer” during Wednesday’s debate on the Bill; He said she cut a lonely figure, without a single backbencher, particularly from her own Labour Party, to support her.

This provoked howls of protest from a succession of Labour backbenchers.

“Not true,” declared Aodhán Ó Riordáin.

“We were here,” asserted Colm Keaveney.

“We were sitting here,” added Joe Costello.

When debate on the Bill resumed, Labour colleagues Arthur Spring and Ann Phelan sat stoically next to Burton, while Costello watched from the backbenches, in a show of solidarity. Fine Gael’s Jerry Buttimer sat behind them, writing furiously. Higgins, watchdog of Labour backbenchers, had retreated to his laptop.

Addressing the Opposition, an upbeat Buttimer said: “If we are to abandon all hope for the sake of ideology, we may as well give up and bring in Fidel Castro and Gadafy and let them run the country.”

Newly elected TD Barry Cowen, manning the Fianna Fáil benches, had enough. “The deputy should stop,” he said. There was no stopping Buttimer.

“Look at the legacy left by the deputy’s party,” he declared.

Independent Mick Wallace jumped to the Fianna Fáil TD’s defence. “Barry is innocent, he was not there,” he said.

Buttimer remained unimpressed, arguing that Cowen was guilty by association.

By then, Micheál Martin had been on the plinth to say how unimpressed he was with the 100 days, while Enda and Eamon prepared for their love-in in Government Buildings later.

For now, Fine Gael and Labour can barely conceal their glee at being in power after 14 frustrating years in opposition.