THE brothers Ahern, Deputies Bertie and Noel, have been having a go at the Democratic Left of late. At the convention this week to select Ray Burke and G.V.Wright to fight the general election in Dublin North. Bertie quipped that the DL was the only party in Europe where if there was a backbench revolt the backbenchers would be outnumbered two to one by Ministers.
Then comes a press release from Noel. A parliamentary question informed him, he says, that the DL leader Minister Proinsias De Rossa went on five foreign trips in 1995 "including a nice one to Madrid where the De Rossa party of five travelled in style by Government jet."
Deputy Noel sags We knows such trips are part of Ministerial life but accuses the Minister of choosing not to understand this when in Opposition himself and of always, being quick to criticise FF on such issues. Indeed, he says, it is good to know that Proinsias is settling into office nicely and has discovered the hard work and the perks, including the Mere, the jet and a raft of advisers. However, on this last point I do have some sympathy for him as he was obviously only trying to compete with the Tanaiste, Mr Dick Spring, who has an army of advisers in Government Buildings, whereas Proinsias has to settle for the less salubrious surroundings of Busaras."
As for the Madrid conference, Noel says: "I suppose if one is speaking on social exclusion, where better to get inspiration for the speech than in the rarefied atmosphere of the Government jet. I am sure it helps to know how the other half live."
We are not told if Proinsias addressed the conference in the first official language.