FROM THE ARCHIVES:Charles Haughey's second government collapsed under a confidence motion after eight months and numerous scandals in November 1982. Maev Kennedy was in the Dáil for its last hours and a parting speech from its bad-boy Minister Sean Doherty. –
JOE JOYCE
THE MINISTER for Justice, Mr Doherty, pressed his fingertips together, and pursed his thin mouth. And said: “I am not going to enter into any bitterness and rancour in the House.”
He had been vilified and pursued. The most scurrilous allegations he had ever heard had been made about him.
What, asked the pursued Minister, about the [car] crashes involving Mr [Ted] Nealon, Mr Eddie Collins, Mr Tom Fitzpatrick, the tragic and unfortunate crash involving Mr Dick Spring, the accident involving Mr [Paddy] Harte, Mr Peter Barry – did he need to go on? – what about the accident involving Mr Mitchell?
Joe Sherlock, deputising in the Chair, eventually diffidently pointed out that the Minister had five minutes left.
“I wish I had five days, I have a lot more to say.” But remember, he warned Tom Enright and Myra Barry, “in five hours you’ll be dealt with by the Irish people. Remember this, you’re a can of worms and I’ve taken the lid off you, and you’ll be used as bait by the people of Ireland when they play with you in the next three weeks!”
And he sat down. Now if the man had got annoyed enough to allow himself bitterness or rancour . . .
It was 4.40 when Charlie walked back in, all by himself. Michael O’Leary was sitting quietly in the very middle of the Fine Gael back bench. Ray MacSharry was explaining that the government had done a very good job in very difficult times. The public gallery was groaning with three rows of standing figures behind the seats.
In these bizarre and unprecedented times, Ray MacSharry allowed himself to make a joke. He held up the Western People which originally carried the Garret the Two-Shoed picture, and said they understood the left shoe was Micko’s. The House roared.
He said the motion was typical of the kind of attitude in the past few months that was prompted by a small cell within the Fianna Fáil-Fine Gael party. He almost blushed. The House roared.
As they gathered for the vote, Colm Hilliard, who clearly had no great faith that they would all gather here once again, moved along the front bench, collecting autographs. Charlie laughed, and signed.
It was 80 for, 82 against. There was 10 seconds of complete silence. Then a muted round of applause.
Charlie Haughey said that he would now go to advise the President to dissolve the House. And he turned to John O’Connell in the Chair. “In conclusion may I convey to you, and to every member of the Dáil, every good wish and every blessing for the future. Beannacht De oraibh go léir.”
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