Opposition gets a glimpse at Dáil future

FINE Gael and Labour got an indication of what the next five years in opposition will be like when they lost their first two battles in the new Dáil yesterday.

Labour opposed the election of outgoing arts minister John O’Donoghue as ceann comhairle — instead nominating one of its own TDs, Ruairi Quinn.

Fine Gael then opposed the re-election of Bertie Ahern as taoiseach — instead nominating Enda Kenny, on which it was supported by Labour.