McGrath resists offer of quick step but still ends up dancing to Ceann Comhairle's tune

DÁIL SKETCH:INDEPENDENT TD for Tipperary South Mattie McGrath was All-Ireland set dancing champion in 1974.

Yesterday he danced a political jig in the Dáil when he complained that Ceann Comhairle Seán Barrett was not allowing him pursue matters on the Order of Business, when questions can be asked on promised legislation.

It was something of a slow waltz of a beginning when the former Fianna Fáil TD rose from his seat, located to the Ceann Comhairle’s right.

He has sat there, next to fellow Independent Michael Healy-Rae, since he left the party over issues such as stag hunting and the EU-International Monetary Fund deal in the last Dáil.

McGrath said he wanted to ask Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore about a matter raised in the media at the weekend relating to the self-employed. Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton had suggested changes to the sick pay scheme, he added.

“I honestly feel . . . ,’’ he continued. But the Ceann Comhairle was clearly watching the clock and wanted a quick step. “The deputy might feel something, but has he a question on the Order of Business?’’ When McGrath confirmed that he had, the Ceann Comhairle suggested that he ask it because there were only 40 seconds remaining on the Order of Business. Another TD had indicated he had a question.

“I had my hand up for 15 minutes,’’ said McGrath, who suggested his corner seat in the chamber might be preventing the Ceann Comhairle from seeing him. The Ceann Comhairle recommended that McGrath should move seats.

Fine Gael’s Joe Carey noted this would mean him returning to sit on the Fianna Fáil benches.

McGrath bristled with annoyance, as he was heckled from various sides of the chamber. “A Cheann Comhairle, you will not allow me . . . ,’’ he declared. “You are making a mockery of me.’’ An increasingly irritated Ceann Comhairle asked: “What is the deputy’s question?’’ The uproar intensified.

“A Cheann Comhairle, I feel that over the past several weeks you have not been fair to me,’’ said McGrath. He insisted he had ignored him for 25 minutes, an increase of 10 on his earlier claim.

“I will be ignoring you twice as much if you keep on with this,’’ said the Ceann Comhairle.

After further exchanges, he called a halt to McGrath’s political footwork by asking the Tánaiste whether there was legislation promised covering sick pay.

Gilmore replied there would be a post-budget social welfare Bill giving effect to relevant measures. McGrath withdrew with a jilted expression. Sinn Féin’s Mary Lou McDonald remarked that Enda Kenny’s honeymoon with Angela Merkel was well and truly over, given Wednesday’s events.

“It was a fleeting affair,” said Fianna Fáil’s Billy Kelleher.

McGrath, the expert on set dancing from all those years ago, observed that it had “only lasted for one dance”.

Perhaps it mirrored McGrath’s honeymoon with his old party.

The Clonmel man, who, according to Nealon's Directoryhas a diploma in communications skills from UCC, is likely to trip the verbal light fantastic with the Ceann Comhairle again.