DÁIL SKETCH:BERTIE AHERN'S political ghost was evoked in the Dáil yesterday. Sinn Féin's Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin was unhappy with Brian Cowen's replies to questions about the deal made with the three Independents supporting the Government, writes MICHAEL O'REGAN.
"All the Taoiseach will do is to take up the position of the master of mutter whom he has succeeded," said Ó Caoláin.
Cowen told Ó Caoláin he would never be called "Mr Short Question" in the House.
Eamon Gilmore wondered if the Independents would "stay bought".
Cowen observed that Gilmore was being so provocative that one of them, Finian McGrath, had returned to his seat after standing up to leave the House.
Ó Caoláin described McGrath as a "former Independent deputy". McGrath jumped to his feet, declaring that many of the people attacking him were the same people who had telephoned him within 24 hours of his election.
He claimed that Gilmore and Richard Bruton were among them, "dying to do a deal". He was delivering, he said, to his Dublin North Central constituency.
Fine Gael's Leo Varadkar is anxious to deliver to all of his Dublin West constituents, irrespective of political allegiance.
He noted that the Taoiseach was awaiting Garda advice on taking up residence in the steward's house in Farmleigh.
"I would like to welcome the Taoiseach, should he choose to become a part-time resident of my constituency," said Varadkar.
"I look forward to receiving the deputy's literature," replied Cowen. When the FG deputy repeated his offer of assistance, Cowen remarked: "It is probably the kindest thing he said about Fianna Fáil since he started his political career."
Meanwhile, some of the new Ministers of State took up their positions in the chamber for Opposition leaders' questions before returning to their new offices.
Martin Mansergh, who was assigned the Office of Public Works (OPW) as well as responsibility for the arts, was clearly delighted with his promotion.
Noel Ahern, who was transferred from the OPW to the Department of Transport, sat next to him. But there was little talk between the two, with Ahern clearly not interested in using his experience to advise his successor about the potential complexity of arterial drainage in Mansergh's Tipperary South constituency.