Mrs Mary O'Rourke, leader of the House, yesterday received plaudits from both the Opposition and the Minister.
Following the passing of the Bill to bring the new airport authorities into existence, Mr Derek McDowell (Lab) said that he wished to thank Mrs O'Rourke for the stirring leadership which she had provided for the Opposition when the Bill was being considered.
"There were times, I must say, when we felt entirely redundant, that the Government seemed to be more than capable of providing its own Opposition."
The Minister for Transport, Mr Brennan, paid tribute to Mrs O'Rourke for insisting on a lengthy debate on the controversial Bill.
He said that any disagreement he had in politics was on the basis of issues, not personalities. He had nothing but admiration and support for Mrs O'Rourke.
Mrs O'Rourke, who was in the chamber, did not respond.
Mr Fergal Browne (FG) referred to the applause in the House on the previous night from the Government benches for Mr Brennan, and he said that various people might have their roles changed in the Taoiseach's reshuffling of senior positions.