Dáil Sketch / Michael O'Regan: A splendid floral display decorated the stairs on the way to the Dáil chamber yesterday as part of the welcome for Australian Prime Minister John Howard.
But as routine business proceeded, in advance of Mr Howard's address, more brickbats than rose-tinted words were exchanged.
When he spoke, the empty seats illustrated not only the boycott by some TDs but the absence of other TDs and Senators too busy elsewhere to attend.
Apart from the flowers, the most colourful note was struck by PD TD Fiona O'Malley who was dressed in a bright red-patterned Chinese-style outfit.
The only conciliatory gesture came from Mr Ahern who apologised to former Aer Lingus chief executive Willie Walsh and his colleagues for remarks he made about them last week.
Using the words "steal the assets" and "shaft the staff", when talking about the proposed management buyout, were inappropriate, said the Taoiseach.
But comments made in the context of robust political exchange in the chamber could sometimes have unintended effects, he added.
Mr Howard had clearly no intention of going down that road, despite the boycott and empty seats. He spoke from notes, a reference to Northern Ireland given prominence in block capitals.
Afterwards, he shook hands all round.
He referred to "a sense of nostalgia, sentimentality, warmth and laughter about the relationship between our two countries".
But there was also a "contemporary, people-to-people relationship and one of the wonderful aspects is how the young of Australia visit Ireland and the young of Ireland visit Australia in growing numbers".
If some deputies had a disinterested expression, it was not so in the case of Mr Ahern and Mr Cowen who seemed transfixed by Mr Howard's words. Later, it was suggested it was his record of electoral survival back home that so fascinated the Fianna Fáil leader and his deputy.
Green Party leader Trevor Sargent presented Mr Ahern with a list of complaints about policy issues passed on to him by the Green Party in Australia. "Perhaps if I get a chance, I will tell the prime minister to watch Oireachtas Report tonight," replied a visibly annoyed Taoiseach.
As Mr Sargent ploughed on, Mr Ahern snapped: "I will not act as a messenger boy for the Green Party of Australia."
Earlier, welcoming Mr Howard, Ceann Comhairle Dr Rory O'Hanlon (FF), TD for Cavan-Monaghan, referred to Monaghan-born Charles Gavin Duffy who was tried five times for treason before being deported to Australia in 1855 where he was elected a member of the Victoria legislature.
"He became minister and then prime minister of Victoria. When he thought he could rise no higher, he was appointed speaker," said Dr O'Hanlon. "Members will understand the natural progression involved."