Dáil Sketch/Marie O'Halloran: None of the disappointed appeared at first. But the three Graces - Hopeful, Stubborn and Happy - sat on the benches reserved for junior ministers, in the row behind the A team.
Government chief whip Tom Kitt, hopeful of promotion to Cabinet level, sat beside the stubborn Minister of State Síle de Valera, who determinedly stood her ground in the face of pressure to resign her Education portfolio.
They were joined by Happy, the new Minister of State Mary Wallace who walked slowly into the Chamber as business got under way and smiled as she took up her new place.
There was no sign of disappointed contender Seán Haughey or Jim Glennon, the second TD whose name had been mentioned for the job. Dublin North West TD Pat Carey, who has also been among the names speculated about, arrived shortly after and stayed for some of the ribbing the Government benches got over the controversy surrounding the fourth Mary's appointment.
First up was Labour leader Pat Rabbitte, who asked if the Tánaiste had heard Tom Kitt's radio interview when he said the Government was unable to make the appointment last week because of the Tánaiste's absence in Canada.
It seemed the PDs were responsible for the "cruel deception of SeáHaughey".
A smiling Mary Harney said that although she was not at the meeting, "I was available by phone". She pointed out that "the chief whip informs me it was a matter of courtesy in a partnership Government".
Socialist TD Joe Higgins had them rolling in the aisles when he suggested that the Tánaiste arrange counselling for the Fianna Fáil family.
"There are troubling signs of dysfunction this morning. Certain members of the family are hoping Dick Cheney might invite the Taoiseach on his next duck hunt. I warn the members opposite of what might happen if things get out of hand."
But the chuckles turned to drama when Mr Higgins referred to three bricklayers who were in jail "for standing up for union rights on building sites".
"For defying the law," replied Minister for Finance Brian Cowen. It was a double standard, said Joe, and the developers were "the Government's friends".
"What about your friends?" retorted Brian. "Who funded you?" An outraged Joe Higgins jumped to his feet, arms folded and shouted: "Listen - what are you talking about?" and everyone turned to watch.
Mr Higgins said he had read a "rather hysterical story in a tabloid this morning that traces of cocaine had been found in the toilet beside the Dáil. Were you in there recently?" There was a collective intake of breath.
Then Brian Cowen shrugged and said: "Another attempt at humour". After that outburst everything else was an anticlimax.