The early bird catches the worm - or in this case the fast cyclist gets to speak. Green deputy Trevor Sargent arrived at Leinster House at 8.30 a.m. on Wednesday and sought speaking time on the rail disruption which was hitting the service he normally uses. He applied under standing order 31 which allows discussion on a matter of urgent public importance and for only the 11th time in the history of the State, say the Greens, it was granted.
Because he was first, he was given the 80 minutes allotted and the Opposition whips, FG's Sean Barrett and Labour's Emmet Stagg had to apply to him for speaking slots. Since it is normally the other way round, the Greens were pleased with themselves and acquiesed, saying that whenever there's the opportunity they act in a parliamentary fashion.
And how did Sargent get in without the trains? He cycled from his home in Balbriggan. It took him 90 minutes.