Dáil Sketch:A former minister for justice broke the rules in the Dáil yesterday, in an attempt to maintain law and order and keep members happy, writes Michael O'Regan.
The former minister was Ceann Comhairle John O'Donoghue, a one-time political bruiser whose job nowadays is to ensure that standing orders are obeyed.
Fine Gael's Richard Bruton wanted to raise the air-traffic controllers' dispute. "Why do we always have this high-wire act with disputes in essential services?" he asked.
"It is many years since the Oireachtas made legislative provision for special ways of dealing with disputes in essential services, but they have never been acted upon by Government or agreed by the social partners."
Mr O'Donoghue had a pained expression. "I hate to interrupt the deputy, but it is also many years since this House laid out rules on how these matters may be raised, and this is not one of them," he said.
Mr Bruton referred to the possible plight of 90,000 people, including tourists, business people and ordinary members of the public.
"I accept that, but I must operate within standing orders," said Mr O'Donoghue.
As Mr Bruton persisted, the Ceann Comhairle's pained expression intensified. "I am in a difficulty," said Mr O'Donoghue.
The FG man tried diplomacy, noting that the chair had shown "a general tolerance" on previous Thursdays when important issues were raised.
Mr O'Donoghue, gamekeeper turned poacher, was prepared to stretch a point. "Perhaps the Tánaiste, if he can, will briefly deal with the dispute issue. It is out of order," he said, more in sorrow than in anger.
Tánaiste Brian Cowen, who was taking the Order of Business, remarked: "It is clear there is an onus on the Irish Aviation Authority and Impact to be creative on the issue and avoid an unnecessary dispute involving the travelling public or business next week." That's the Tánaiste, always a man for the detailed constructive suggestion.
Fine Gael's Tom Sheahan, the Ceann Comhairle's Kerry South constituency colleague, sought a commitment from Mr Cowen that the people of Valentia island would retain their Coast Guard station.
"The Bull" O'Donoghue, the pained expression returning, waited a respectable period before invoking standing orders, as shouts of "out of order" were made from the Government benches in Mr Sheahan's direction.
"Much as I empathise with what the deputy has to say, it is not in order," said Mr O'Donoghue.
Mr Sheahan remarked: "I was hoping the Ceann Comhairle would be the one man to help me out."
The Ceann Comhairle had firmly returned to the role of gamekeeper. "No, no. I must move on . . . One cannot keep the home fires burning on the Order of Business."