Selected quotes from some of the day's exchanges in the Dáil.
What did the poor people of Ireland do to deserve Seamus Brennan as Minister for Social Welfare? He doesn't want the job. He has clearly no interest in it.
- Mr Pat Rabbitte, Labour
I do not believe he will be quite so Scrooge-like as your own former colleague and president of your party.
- The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, on the former minister Mr Proinsias de Rossa
You remind me of the bride who didn't want to get married . . . She got married but she left the husband. I hope you don't leave the Cabinet.
- Mr Michael Ring (FG) to the Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Mr Brennan
It will be a while before Deputy [Michael D.] Higgins sits beside Deputy Rabbitte again.
- Mr Cowen
I thought the staff in Iveagh House had finessed Deputy Cowen a bit but they obviously have not.
- Mr Rabbitte
We should try not to think in old-fashioned ways that have more to do with gombeen days. They should try to modernise their thinking.
- Mr Ahern on decentralisation, new technology and teleconferencing