The Progressive Democrats might not like it, but yesterday they swallowed hard in Government and accepted a plan by the Department of Justice to house 1,000 asylum-seekers in floating centres.
Mary Harney talked about it being an emergency decision of last resort, of very last resort, and an action that would only be implemented for the shortest possible time.
But with the so-called Celtic Tiger in full roar, who can say that rented floating centres will become unnecessary in a short period, or will be abandoned in favour of more expensive options? Especially as there is no real sign that the Government has got to grips with a backlog that has been building for three years. From a local point of view, their impermanence might count for something. But already the Minister of State, Martin Cullen, is making waves in Government about the proposal to locate one of the "flotels" in his native Waterford. Dublin Port and Cork will get one each and a fourth is still looking for a home, having being turned down by Dun Laoghaire.
The political difficulties anticipated by the Government in providing homes for asylum-seekers are evident from the lack of detail in John O'Donoghue's blueprint for the future. Decisions in principle are recorded but - perhaps with an eye to local unrest - details concerning the location of centres are not revealed.
Thus, permanent accommodation for 4,000 people is to be constructed as quickly as possible at unnamed sites. The same holds true for prefabricated homes for a further 4,000 persons. Hotels, guesthouses and hostels will take 2,000 and mobile homes and boats a further 1,000 each.
John O'Donoghue declined to hold a press conference to explain the details of his policy. But he offered short interviews to television.
He also invited his political opponents to provide alternatives to the renting of floating accommodation. That was it. The fine detail of Government policy explained!
Later, however, there was some clarification. Sources within the Department of Justice said the new permanent and temporary homes would be built on State lands. More than that, they would almost certainly be built without planning permission. For in order to fast-track the exercise, the Minister was likely to invoke a 1993 Act.
The good news was that a new Reception and Integration Agency will be established to cater for asylum-seekers. But it will come under the control of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform.
There will be an unspecified "streamlining" of procedures in the processing of asylum applications. Those awaiting judgment will be offered full-board accommodation and a small financial payment. And, where deportation is finally ordered, the Garda will be given new powers to ensure the individuals involved leave the State.
The Tanaiste and leader of the Progressive Democrats wasn't going to get mixed up in such grubby detail. Especially as neither she, nor her party, liked the idea of floating accommodation centres in the first place. Instead, she did her own thing by unveiling a new visa system for a limited number of skilled foreign workers who would actively contribute to the wealth of the State.
Even there, the new visa scheme was a pale shadow of what had been suggested last December. For a start, it would only apply to three specific categories of worker: information technology specialists, nurses and construction professionals such as planners, architects and engineers. In all, about 1,000 persons could be involved over 18 months. It was a far cry from the 28,600 extra workers needed each year to feed the Celtic Tiger.
Ms Harney explained that the old work permit system favoured by the Department of Justice would still operate.
Needless to say, the Opposition parties were incensed.
Jim Higgins of Fine Gael described the package as "hopelessly disjointed and seriously flawed". He was particularly critical of the decision to locate control of the new immigrant agency within the Department of Justice, and felt it should have a much broader focus.
Delays of up to two years were at the heart of the accommodation crisis. The introduction of "flotels" would act as high-profile segregation units, vulnerable to the worst excesses of incipient racism already evident in Ireland, he said.
Brendan Howlin of the Labour Party spoke of confusion and division within Government.
He picked on floating accommodation as being totally unsuitable and likely to further isolate and ghettoise asylum-seekers. The new token cash payment to asylum-seekers was also a cause of concern to Mr Howlin, particularly when taken in conjunction with their dispersal to hotels or hostels in remote locations.
But with Bertie Ahern pushing from behind, the complicated package will certainly go through. Following his bruising treatment over his comments on asylum-seekers in Australia, there was a palpable determination in recent days to get things done.
Later today, the Taoiseach will face his detractors in the Dail; we may be supplied with some more detail of Government policy.