TDs get tunnel vision over Callely’s latest stunt
Back in the Dáil, Opposition TDs were hoping a few more orders could be abolished. Particularly Standing Order Number 33, which, as the Ceann Comhairle reminded Green Party leader Trevor Sargent, reads: “Questions addressed to a member of the Government must relate to the public affairs connected to his or her department or to matters of administration for which he or she is officially responsible.”
For that reason, Trevor couldn’t ask Taoiseach Bertie Ahern a certain question. Not good enough, said Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny. The Taoiseach is responsible for the entire Government, meaning he should be able to answer questions on any matter of public importance. But the Ceann Comhairle was not going there. The questions simply did not arise on the Order of Business, he said, and so they remained unanswered.
But at least when Bertie did answer questions, he did so amiably. Which was a big difference to last week, when the Taoiseach was cranky and irritable.
Labour leader Pat Rabbitte was quick to spot the difference. “My cold is gone,” Bertie responded. “I apologise if I growled at Deputy Rabbitte last week.” Cue smirks around the house.
More came when the subject of a certain junior minister was broached. There was once a comic-strip character called Ivor Lott. The Government’s equivalent is Ivor Caught.
Opposition TDs take much delight every time they catch Ivor Callely engaging in his latest laughable PR exercise. Earlier this year, there was the letter to some of his Dublin North Central constituents which gave the impression that he could help them on planning manners when, in truth, he could do relatively little. Yesterday, Ivor’s “mugshot”, as Enda Kenny termed it, appeared at the top of a taxpayer-funded advert in a national newspaper. The advert was giving the details of public transport services in Dublin in the run-up to Christmas. The photo gave the appearance that Callely was the man pulling all the strings together, ensuring formerly frazzled commuters would come over all festive.
Most of the opposition were distinctly unhappy that taxpayers’ money had been used to fund it. But Pat Rabbitte was a touch more understanding, realising that Ivor got very little of the credit at last week’s launch of the Government’s transport plan. “I am happy that my friend Minister Callely is getting a look-in because, between the Taoiseach and Minister Cullen, it is very hard for him to do so. But do we have to pay for adverts to promote him between now and the general election?”
Enda Kenny had the solution. Ivor, who has taken part in a lot of photo opportunities in the Dublin Port Tunnel of late, could have all the adverts he wanted on one condition. “As long as he goes into the tunnel with the advertisement and does not reappear...” Wonder if Bertie ever thinks that, too?
