Bull loses rag at very idea he might be political

DAIL SKETCH:CEANN COMHAIRLE John O'Donoghue has acquired the nickname the Bull O'Donoghue. And he certainly deserved it yesterday.

Dáil proceedings had barely started when he took umbrage. He demanded that a political charge that hadn’t been made be withdrawn.

It was pointed out that he was only being asked was he being political, not being accused.

Withdraw the charge or leave the House, he demanded.

And less than five minutes after it started the Dáil was suspended for 15 minutes.

There was a brief, stunned silence. After all a suspension normally only takes place after major argy bargy. And in fairness to the ‘Ceann’ as Labour’s Tommy Broughan likes to call him, he usually takes a lot of abuse before he pulls the plug.

But the ‘Bull’ was definitely in a bad mood and he most certainly behaved like the proverbial in a china shop.

Given everyone’s obsession with cutting waste and costs the question has to be asked – how much did that 15 minutes of official House silence cost? If it costs €137 million a year to run the Dáil and Seanad, then 15 minutes of one House in plenary session, on a 93-days-a-year sitting, equals? Of course there are others who argue that that was 15 minutes’ less hot air.

And what was the row about? That renowned Fine Gael political heavyweight James Bannon said he had submitted an issue to be considered for debate but it was not allowed. “Are you being political about this?” the bould Bannon asked. He claimed Minister for the Environment John Gormley is “out promoting a candidate for Lord Mayor of Dublin before he announces procedures” for the election of a mayor, in apparent reference to former taoiseach Bertie Ahern.

But the Green Party leader, who confirmed Bertie’s interest in the job had also said there were a number of others equally keen.

Anyway The ‘Bull’ was not impressed. “You must resume your seat and withdraw the charge that the chair is being political.” Deputy Bannon pointed out: “I didn’t accuse you of being political.” That cut no mustard. “Give him a chance,” pleaded Fine Gael’s Dinny McGinley.

The bould Bannon didn’t help himself by saying “this is Fianna Fáil corroding …” He didn’t even finish the sentence when the Ceann Comhairle ordered him to leave.

“You gave no warning at all,” said Enda Kenny.

“Give him a yellow card,” said Dinny.

At this point Deputy Bannon was definitely waving the red rag. “Every time something reflects badly on the Government, you rule it out of order,” he raged.

And then the House was suspended. Everyone waited to see would the accused be dragged from the House. There was a brief chat with the captain of the guard, who would have that unprecedented duty, an even briefer chat with the Fine Gael whip and when the House resumed Deputy Bannon expressed his hurt. “I feel annoyed. I feel offended.” “Of course you do,” said the Ceann.

The defendant repeated his defence that he didn’t accuse the chair of being political and said he would “leave the House in an orderly fashion”.

Another purposeful morning’s business in Dáil Eireann.