Many in Fine Gael would view an intake of former PD members into the party as the repatriation of kindred spirits, writes Miriam Lord
WHAT WAS it? A hiring fair in Clare or just the usual September tink-in and sing-song? The jobs market may be in decline, but Fine Gael bucked the national trend yesterday by announcing it is actively recruiting - inviting applications from certain politicians who soon will be describing their employment status as "between parties".
Exactly how many PDs will present Enda Kenny with their sparse but beautifully bound CVs remains to be seen, but the party seems confident quite a few will.
The imminent demise of the Progressive Democrats was not warmly welcomed by Fine Gael - that would have been very poor form. So their leader kept a commendably straight face while offering to throw a political roof over any indigent PDs he believes were elected with Blueshirt votes.
But you could see he was thoroughly delighted at the thought of the troublesome party finally cashing in its chips.
There won't be much surprise in Fine Gael when the new intake arrive. Many view it as the repatriation of kindred spirits. There would be much more rejoicing over one lost sheep who repents than 99 baby barrister PDs snuggling back into the Blueshirt fold.
Which brings us to controversial former Fine Gael minister, Michael Lowry, currently successfully operating as an Independent TD for Tipperary North and prop for Brian Cowen's government.
Deputy Lowry drove up to the Radisson Hotel in the afternoon, missing his erstwhile FG colleagues. Minutes earlier, they locked themselves in for a second run at thinking deep thoughts.
Behind the wheel of a BMW and wearing sunglasses, Lowry parked near the front door with his engine idling. Word of his shock presence filtered through the press room snores, causing consternation. When journalists investigated, Michael had vanished. Was he talking to Enda, attracted by the recruitment drive? Had the prodigal returned? That would have been news on a very slow day.
"Aw, 'twas very funny," he told us later. "I knew there was a Fine Gael conference on, but I didn't know where. I was driving up to the Radisson to collect tickets left behind reception when I saw your man's sign up on the gate." (Local deputy Pat Breen had a large banner up welcoming guests to his native heath.) "Well, I couldn't believe it. I said to my passenger: 'I'm not getting out of this car for anyone. You'll have to run in and collect the tickets, and for God's sake, hurry up.' So he gets out and leaves me. Next thing, don't I see an RTÉ man running over with his camera. I couldn't get away quick enough. That's all it was. A very simple explanation. No, I'm not coming back."
The party had more success signing up takers for the sing-song. An upright piano in the foyer acted as a magnet for the warblers, among them Dublin deputy Catherine Byrne and Senator Maurice Cummins.
In as much as an Opposition party can ever be happy, Fine Gael was in tremendous form for the first day of their tink-in and sing-song. Roll on the bad times, and all that. Even the sun shone, and the party immediately claimed responsibility.
IndaKinny opened proceedings with a speech - strictly private, rather like the darkened house of the PDs, so the reaction of his parliamentary party is not known.
He thrilled them with such gobbets of oratorical brilliance as: "For the last five years, the Irish economy was like a three-legged stool with one leg missing. We kept upright on adrenalin and excitement." Maybe he was going to sing Jake the Peg later.
Speaking of legless articles and staying upright, the party unwound with gusto after dinner.
Enda told us earlier he didn't know whether or not he was going to sing. He doesn't want to get into a sort of competitive Karaoke challenge with Brian Cowen, aka The Singing Taoiseach.
Dinner sounded very PD- friendly. Tossed oak smoked salmon and asparagus tip salad in a horseradish and shallot vinaigrette, or fricasse of button mushrooms and chicken served in a crispy puff pastry case. (That's a vol-au-vent to non-FG/PD types.) Main courses were poached trio of Irish seafood coated with a champagne and chive reduction and tender fillet of beef, roast root vegetables, Madeira and foie gras essence. And a big dessert.
"We're going to stand up for the people that Fianna Fáil forgot this summer," Enda said. But not until after they had the dinner.
He looks forward to "a vigorous prosecution of the Government". He may have meant "persecution". Among the guest speakers was UCD Prof Richard Sinnott, who spoke on European Affairs and the Lisbon Treaty. Prof Sinnott briefed Fianna Fáil on the same subject during their tink-in on Monday.
While some might see this as odd - briefing rival teams with the same advice, Prof Sinnott said both parties were aware of his dual commitment. There was no conflict of interest.
Finally, the best wishes of the gathering were extended to young Clare deputy, Joe Carey. Joe missed the dinner as he had to attend his wedding rehearsal.
He marries Grace Fitzell from Ballylongford this morning in St John's Church in Tralee. No doubt he will bring Fine Gael's Road Map for Recovery along on the honeymoon for a bit of reading. Enda seems very excited about it.