Bertie’s pregnant pause causes hot flushes in Dáil

THE Dáil was pregnant with anticipation, but Taoiseach Bertie Ahern refused to deliver a poll date.

Flush from the joys of grandfatherhood, Mr Ahern was determined not to let the electoral waters break until he was good and ready. Enda Kenny stood by with hot towels while a frustrated Pat Rabbitte, himself, of course, already in Labour, tried to induce the announcement through rudeness.

He offered a decidedly back-handed congratulations to Mr Ahern on the birth of his twin grandsons, warning the Taoiseach that young children “should be protected from too many flashlights and cameras”.