D�IL SKETCH:THERE WAS some heavy Opposition-Government tackling in the Dáil yesterday, as the Ceann Comhairle repeatedly urged everybody to play by the rules of the parliamentary game.
John O’Donoghue, clearly a traditionalist at heart, also cautioned against dancing during Lent.
As the CPSU members picketed Leinster House and nearby Government offices, in the chill of a February day, there were heated exchanges in the Dáil chamber.
Enda Kenny wanted the Government to set aside scheduled business to discuss the “grave and escalating situation in the banking sector and the general state of our public finances’’.
Eamon Gilmore accused the Government of sending out “its lapdogs over the past week or so, asking why the Opposition does not stay quiet and support the Government’’.
Noel Dempsey remarked: “If it came up with a few ideas, we would have something to discuss.’’ Gilmore replied: “We produce more ideas in one day than the Government does in 12 years.’’
Dempsey’s ministerial colleague, Martin Cullen, accused the Labour leader of mouthing platitudes.
“The Minister’s bright idea was using electronic voting machines,’’ snapped Gilmore.
The Labour leader wanted to ask Mary Coughlan, who was taking the order of business, about what she had to say in a Sunday newspaper interview.
The Ceann Comhairle reminded the House of the rules governing the order of business.
“I cannot have a situation here on a Thursday morning where it is ‘around the house and behind the dresser’. It is not on.’’
A TD, echoing the days of the Catholic Church’s ban on Lenten dancing, agreed.
“Of course, it is Lent,’’ a voice was heard to say amid the continuing exchanges.
Kenny danced a lively parliamentary jig, as he demanded that Coughlan reply to his suggestion that an all-party group consider the crisis in the banking sector.
O’Donoghue warned that if he allowed questions, which were not in order, the “whole place and the whole system will break down’’.
Kenny, still on his feet, insisted that the Tánaiste clarify if she was rejecting his offer.
Coughlan had the uncomfortable expression of somebody reluctant to accept the offer to dance with Fine Gael on the issue.
O’Donoghue threatened to close the hall and send the band home early. “We can suspend the House, but I have no wish to do so,’’ he said.
As Kenny persisted, the Tánaiste said it was “bizarre’’ that the Opposition was offering to facilitate the Government, given its record of refusing to co-operate.
“I know Deputy Kenny’s agenda,’’ said Dempsey.
“I know Deputy Dempsey’s agenda,’’ replied Kenny.
O’Donoghue observed that “side-bar discussions’’ were not allowed.
“Say it outside the House,’’ said Dempsey, addressing Kenny. “The deputy is saying one thing behind people’s backs.’’
Unimpressed by the exchanges, on the second day of the season of self-denial and repentance, the Ceann Comhairle appealed to Dempsey to make way for Fine Gael’s Seymour Crawford.
