Dáil Sketch/Michael O'Regan:An Iraqi intervention led to a temporary cessation of hostilities in the Dáil yesterday. Ceann Comhairle Rory O'Hanlon looked towards the VIP gallery to extend a "céad míle fáilte" to Adnan Pachachi and a delegation of fellow parliamentarians from Iraq.
"I express the hope that you will find your visit enjoyable, successful and to our mutual benefit," he said.
There was applause all round from the Irish parliamentarians.
The Iraqi visitors had earlier observed Bertie Ahern and Pat Rabbitte do battle across the floor on the stored electronic voting machines.
"Some €52 million of taxpayers' money has gone down the drain in one of the biggest examples of waste by this Government," said Mr Rabbitte.
The idea of storing them centrally had been mooted, but the State would have to pay a ransom of millions to buy out the leases for the storage of machines never to be used, he added.
Mr Rabbitte suggested that the "crazy scheme" be abandoned and the Taoiseach should see "if he can find anybody gullible enough anywhere in the western world to take the machines off his hands".
The visiting Iraqi parliamentarians were probably relieved that they would not be forced to be bidders by their hosts.
Mr Ahern, with all the enthusiasm of a computer buff, wondered if Mr Rabbitte was questioning the credibility, expertise and technological ability of the people providing the machines.
"A vast democracy like India, with 600 million voting, can use electronic voting," said Mr Ahern. "It is hard to explain internationally how we, the world's greatest exporters of software, have a difficulty and still want to use pens and pencils or chalk or crayons when we ourselves want to vote."
It was sad, he added, but he expressed the hope that we would cop on and move on.
Mr Rabbitte repeated his view that the Government should cut its losses and offload the machines.
Mr Ahern remarked that it was a pity that if one voted electronically, one should also have to get a bit of paper out.
"There is nothing wrong with pen and paper," observed Independent and former teacher Finian McGrath.
Earlier, before the Iraqi parliamentarians had arrived, the reported assessment of the Government by the late Charles Haughey was evoked by the leader of Fine Gael, Enda Kenny.
Castigating its record on crime, Mr Kenny remarked: "Does it not bring home the truth highlighted in the words of the former taoiseach, Mr Haughey, when he said that 'this is the worst government in the history of the State'?"
Mr Ahern remained impassive and did not reply.
Minister for Social and Family Affairs Séamus Brennan wore a half-smile, as did Mr Rabbitte.