Dáil Sketch / Michael O'Regan: Hell hath no fury like a TD, with an eye on the electorate, scorned. This was obvious again yesterday during a sometimes bad-tempered Order of Business presided over by Mary Harney.
But first there was the private funding of the health services orchestrated in recent days by RTÉ's Joe Duffy.
It prompted Pat Rabbitte to evoke memories of Ben Dunne's generosity to Charles Haughey.
"In her speech to the party conference the Tánaiste promised further involvement by the private sector in the health service," said Mr Rabbitte.
"Did she mean Mr Ben Dunne and other benefactors through the Liveline programme? I wonder if the health service, like Mr Charles Haughey, will end up dependent on Ben Dunne?"
An impassive Tánaiste was clearly not prepared to echo Mr Haughey's reported "thanks, big fellow" remark to Mr Dunne. "We welcome Irish or other money, if it becomes available to provide services," said Ms Harney. "Generous as €30,000 is, one can imagine how much it would do in the context of €12 billion."
Former Labour finance minister Ruairí Quinn remarked that "private sector investment costs the health service more than public sector investment".
Then it was the turn of the scorned deputies to take their anger out on a very firm Ceann Comhairle Rory O'Hanlon. Wexford Fine Gael TD Paul Kehoe observed that Ms Harney was probably aware of the bed crisis in the county's general hospital. Were there Bills promised to improve the situation there?
Dr O'Hanlon ruled him out of order, and suggested that Mr Kehoe, who shares the same constituency with FG health spokesman Liam Twomey, table a parliamentary question on the matter.
An adamant Mr Kehoe said he would not sit down until he got an answer because the situation in Wexford was out of control. When he was formally suspended from the House, Mr Kehoe continued to insist he would not leave. "Get a trolley," suggested Labour's Seán Ryan. "Wheel him out."
The Ceann Comhairle adjourned the Dáil for five minutes, and Mr Kehoe was absent from the FG benches when deputies returned.
Later Labour health spokeswoman Liz McManus claimed that Dr O'Hanlon was ignoring her. "I did not deliberately ignore Deputy McManus," said Dr O'Hanlon. "The chair does not deliberately ignore anyone."
Meanwhile, Dan Boyle, of the Green Party, became almost airborne as he tried to get Dr O'Hanlon's attention. When he failed he was less than pleased.
"Deputy Boyle will be the first member called next Tuesday," said Dr O'Hanlon. It was no consolation to Mr Boyle.
With Mr Kehoe's exit from the chamber in mind, he remarked: "Perhaps members must engage in histrionics to get attention in the House."