John O'Donoghue notes "a tinge of the Cosa Nostra'' in one of Jackie Healy-Rae's requests
AS THE Dáil convened yesterday, rain lashed Leinster House and the sound of thunder could be heard. In the chamber, Kerry South's Jackie Healy-Rae was in a thunderous mood, demanding an emergency debate on the redrawing of the local election boundaries in his native heath. Apparently, it has been less than kind to the Healy-Rae dynasty: Jackie and county councillor sons Michael and Danny.
Jackie announced on Wednesday that he will not stand at the next general election. Michael, who represents the Killorglin electoral area on Kerry County Council, is heir apparent. The Independent TD claimed that the electoral boundary committee had not adhered to the terms of reference when it looked at the Kingdom. "They clearly state that the committee is required to take into account a number of factors, including the desirability of having electorally preserved natural communities or hinterlands of population areas,'' he declared. One example was that the electoral division of Drummin had been transferred from Killorglin to the Dingle electoral area, although Killorglin, best known for the annual Puck Fair, was underpopulated already.
One had to drive through Drummin to get to Killorglin, said Healy-Rae. Having treated the House to a geography lesson, he spoke of dark political deeds. Calling for the intervention of the Taoiseach, he claimed it was well known that two county councillors were related to people on the commission.
Other TDs followed Healy-Rae in seeking emergency debates on a variety of issues. Ceann Comhairle John O'Donoghue, who with Fine Gael's Tom Sheahan is a Kerry South Dáil colleague of Healy-Rae's, ruled them all out of order.
With his intimate knowledge of the well-honed Healy-Rae political mafia, he noted that one of the requests "might even have a tinge of the Cosa Nostra'' about it.
Labour's Joan Burton had an equal lack of success when she attempted to raise the alleged dumping of hazardous waste in Haulbowline on the Order of Business. It was later dealt with by way of a special notice question.
"The deputy will need to raise the matter in another way and on another day,'' said O'Donoghue.
As Burton persisted, O'Donoghue repeated that she was "out of order completely''. Rising to his feet, he warned that he might need to ask her to leave the House. "Do not be in such a bad humour, a Cheann Comhairle,'' advised Burton. She claimed she was being really nice.
"I am not in bad humour at all,'' replied O'Donoghue. "I came in here in great form.''
Burton was pleased. "Good. People looking in might believe we did not get on at all. In fact, we do.'' O'Donoghue remarked: "They have heard our secrets.''
So well the Ceann Comhairle might be in good humour, given that his position ensures he will be automatically returned to the Dáil for Kerry South at the next election, irrespective of electoral boundaries. Nevertheless, he will be keeping a close eye on the Healy-Rae mafia.