Ceann Comhairle Sean Barrett (‘McDonald suspended from Dáil for two days,’ November 14) in adjourning Dáil Éireann after a suspension lasting four and a half hours due to a sit-in by Sinn Féin deputy leader Mary Lou McDonald, said he regretted very much having to take this action but it was necessary to avoid “further reputational damage to the institution”.

The implications of his satisfactory mature recollection over this weekend will be critical to Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and his survival, possibly, and maybe that of the coalition government which he currently leads.