Dáil Sketch: John O'Donoghue sat alone on the Taoiseach's usual seat as he prepared to take the Order of Business, the broad sweep of the empty ministerial benches seemingly as symbolically vast as his native Iveragh peninsula, writes Michael O'Regan.
Fine Gael's Dinny McGinley was in full flight, demanding increased Garda numbers in his native Donegal to counteract antisocial behaviour.
Given that Mr O'Donoghue was about to suffer some political assaults from the Opposition, where were his colleagues? Reinforcements then arrived in the shape of fellow Ministers Micheál Martin and Martin Cullen. They were soon joined by Séamus Brennan.
An early political punch came from Labour leader Pat Rabbitte, who accused the Minister for Sport of sitting on the Dalton report and wondered what changes he envisaged to the board of Bord na gCon.
There was no question of sitting on the report, said Mr O'Donoghue, adding that he had advice from the Attorney General to write to those mentioned in it to advise them of its contents. They would have a sufficient period to reply.
"Incidentally, I greatly welcome Deputy Rabbitte joining the growing band of greyhound racing fans in the country," said Mr O'Donoghue.
"I have not noticed him of late at Shelbourne Park, Harold's Cross or any other greyhound track. I take it his interest stems from his coursing of the odd hare around here. Indeed, he has turned the odd one as well." Mr Rabbitte said he was delighted to see the Minister disporting himself so frequently on the greyhound tracks of Ireland. "Pulling a rabbit out of the hat," suggested Independent Finian McGrath.
Labour's Kathleen Lynch asked about legislation relating to local authorities selling flats to long-term tenants.
Asked by the Minister to name the legislation, her party colleague Ruairí Quinn interjected to say it was the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill.
"That was enacted in 2004," said Mr O'Donoghue. "No, it was not," replied Ms Lynch.
Accused of jumping up and down, Mr O'Donoghue said he would not have to do so if Ms Lynch had named the Bill in the first place.
"It is up to the Minister to read his brief and know the Bill," snapped Labour's Emmet Stagg.
The Minister replied: "Deputy Stagg may have clairvoyants in his party, but there are none in mine. The Bill is due in 2007." Government Chief Whip Tom Kitt, sitting behind Mr O'Donoghue, whispered details of legislation to the Minister, as he usually does with whoever is taking the Order of Business.
"I understand that Deputy Kitt had his hand up the back of the Minister's jumper, but I would like him to answer," said Ms Lynch.
"As long as it was not in my pocket it was OK," replied Mr O'Donoghue.
Questioned on Department of Justice legislation, Mr O'Donoghue said it was true that he had introduced a large volume of it when he was in the department.
"It never got out of the traps," claimed Mr Stagg, his mind clearly still on greyhounds.
"I was obliged to introduce a great deal of legislation in justice as well when I was Opposition spokesperson," said the Minister, as he sprinted towards the end of his stint in what is usually the Taoiseach's hot seat.