Dail Sketch/Michael O'Regan: There is no smoke without fire, and the continuing signals from the Government are that it will do a U-turn on the withdrawal of social welfare benefits from widows and widowers.
As deputies and journalists made their way to the great outdoors yesterday to have a smoke, the talk in the once smoke-filled rooms in Leinster House was that the Government was guilty of an own-goal.
The Fine Gael leader, Enda Kenny, evoked the ghost of the late Ernest Blythe and his reduction of a shilling in the old-age pension. The repercussions, he said, "had lasted for 60 years in political terms against the Cumann na nGaedheal and Fine Gael parties."
The Taoiseach took a number of bows for his role as President of Europe, but there was no kudos when dealing with the widows and widowers. It was, said Mr Kenny, a "shameful act" by the Government.
Mr Ahern looked like a man who would much prefer to be dealing with the detail of an EU Constitution.
He outlined the Government's spending on social welfare and noted that the Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Ms Coughlan, would be meeting the various groups involved. He all but said that the measure would be reversed.
The most pressing issue for all parties is the European and local elections.
And then, for Mr Ahern, there is the question of the promised summer Cabinet reshuffle, as eager and ambitious backbenchers these days watch his body language for positive signals. This will test his formidable political skills.
Being President of Europe could be child's play by comparison.
The Minister for the Environment, Martin Cullen, reputed to be safe in any Cabinet shake-up, came into the chamber of defend his stewardship in the face of a Green Party motion of no confidence.
The Green Party leader, Trevor Sargent, claimed that Mr Cullen's "lack of interest in climate change is more than matched by his messianic interest in acting beyond his power."
Mr Cullen, tongue somewhat in cheek, killed his opponents with kindness at the start of his speech. He thanked the party, noting that the motion gave the House an opportunity to look at the complete range of policies within his responsibility.