Lee's speech is a wake-up call for sleepy Ministers

DÁIL SKETCH:TD's maiden address went down a storm with FG, but not so well with Government speakers writes MIRIAM LORD

A MAN STOOD up yesterday and made a speech. A proper speech. It was measured and thoughtful. From the heart and delivered without recourse to a script.

It was very good, but the most unusual thing about this speech was that it was delivered on the floor of the Dáil by a TD.

Seldom is wonderful. If George Lee keeps up this high standard, he might succeed in bringing a bit of credibility back to a chamber where deputies routinely troop in with their allotted pages and read them into the record.

To be fair, not all TDs are products of the regurgitation school of public speaking. Nonetheless, when one of their number comes in and delivers an address worth listening to, it is a standout moment.

The new deputy for South Dublin had a lot to live up to, arriving in the Dáil for his maiden speech at the end of the longest fanfare in Irish political history.

He rose to speak just after midday. The Fine Gael benches filled up rapidly behind him.

Minister for Europe Dick Roche, held the fort across the way on the Government side. He smiled across indulgently at George – not because he was the new boy, but because that is what Dick does.

Unusually for the time of day, the press gallery was packed. Down in the members’ bar, the place hushed when George rose to bowl his maiden over and the volume was turned up on the television. There was a lot riding on this speech.

What followed was a powerful presentation from a skilled communicator. His colleagues were impressed and relieved.

With a broadcaster’s ear for a soundbite, Lee honed in on a jocose remark by party colleague Charlie Flanagan when the Taoiseach opened the two-day confidence debate on Tuesday.

“It’s so bad, even three of your Ministers are asleep!” spluttered Charlie, as the drowsy Cabinet members blinked at his affrontery. The tired trio who appeared to be grabbing 40 winks were later identified as Snoozy O’Cuív, Martin Manzzzzergh and Sleepy Cullen.

However, all three would insist that they were merely thinking deep thoughts. Deputy Lee hasn’t been very impressed by what he described as the “antics” he has seen in the chamber.

“While I was here yesterday there were three Ministers over there asleep,” he said, shooting a glacial stare across the floor. Rather pointless, given that it was absorbed by Dick Roche’s smirk.

“It’s just not good enough, in my view, that people in this House can take that kind of attitude to the difficulty that people are suffering out there.”

To put it in context, he noted that in the short space of time when those Ministers were in the land of nod, “that would have been another 152 people on the dole.” Aghast at the idea that somebody might think TDs occasionally fall asleep in the chamber, Leas Cheann Comhairle, Noel O’Flynn rushed to mark George’s cards.

“Members here may be in meditation, they may have their eyes closed or their heads down. They’re meditating, they’re contemplating, but I have never seen a member from any side of the house deep in sleep.” His serious point of information was somewhat marred by guffaws from his fellow ruminators.

Noel mustn’t have been looking very hard. Over the years, we’ve seen quite a few of Dail Éireann’s finest snoring their brains out.

There is one Fianna Fáil deputy who does a very good imitation of the leaning tower of Pisa, listing in his chair as his eyelids dust the desk.

But back to Fine Gael’s star signing, who delivered his address from a berth on the front bench. Is this a sign of things to come? (By the way, an FG staffer tells us that the party has already received over 800 CVs from eager young West Wing types who want to become a parliamentary assistant to George.) In another novel parliamentary departure, the new deputy was very fair in his treatment of the Government and had words of praise for Taoiseach Cowen and his Ministers.

But then he got stuck in, highlighting in particular what he called “the human consequence of economic collapse.” Brevity is not George’s strong point. “Your time is up” said the Leas Cheann Comhairle. “For today.” The gallant Michael Ring stepped into the breach. “I don’t mind givin’ way to talent,” he roared.

Because of his selfless gesture, Michael was left with “only two minutes and 20 seconds” to make his contribution. It’s amazing how much roaring a man can manage in 140 seconds.

George’s maiden outing went down a storm with his own party, but not so well with Government speakers, who began taking their first tentative steps towards tearing strips off the new arrival. The celebrity sheen is beginning to wear off, although not with junior minister John Moloney, who extended a warm welcome to new deputies O’Sullivan and Lee.

“I was not present in the chamber when the deputies received an official welcome, although I met Deputy Lee in a corridor.”

With the numbers on their side, the Coalition was never going to lose its motion of confidence in itself. Again, George wasn’t impressed. The administration is only in power because it did little sweetheart deals with Independents. Running a country “it isn’t all about roads and bridges and drains,” he argued.

It is when your name is Jackie Healy-Rae, who is reportedly doing very nicely out of the Government’s difficulties.

To the delight of his colleagues, Lee finished with another good soundbite. He directed it at the 30th government of Ireland.

“I’ve got a message – Come in number 30, your time is up!” And Dick Roche beamed indulgently.