The lights are on but Mary’s not home

THE Christmas lights were switched on at Leinster House yesterday in the presence of the Taoiseach and his fellow party leaders, but there was one notable absentee.

Health Minister Mary Harney, leader of the Progressive Democrats, could not be present.

She was attending a north-south health summit at Dublin Castle.

Had she been on the Leinster House lawn, though, she might have allowed herself a bitter smile at the scene that unfolded.

All this week, the Government and opposition have engaged in virulent clashes over Ms Harney’s future.

The opposition says Ms Harney must resign over the cancer-screening crisis; Ms Harney says she is not responsible and the Government is supporting her.

On Tuesday night in the Dáil, the opposition tabled a motion of no confidence in Ms Harney, prompting a debate on the issue.

That debate resumed last night, but in between, just after midday yesterday, there was a cessation of hostilities.

Representing the Government were the Taoiseach and Green Party TD Mary White, standing in for party leader John Gormley, who arrived late.

Representing the opposition were Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny, Labour leader Eamon Gilmore and Sinn Féin Dáil leader Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin.

In a short ceremony on the lawn, both sides swapped jokes and posed happily for the cameras as Ceann Comhairle John O’Donoghue officially switched on the lights on the Christmas tree.

A choir comprising staff from Leinster House sang carols for the guests, including a group of senior citizens from the St Andrew’s Resource Centre in Pearse Street, Dublin 2.

The season of goodwill had arrived, and it seemed as if the rancorous debate of the previous night had never happened.

Indeed, Mr O’Donoghue expressed the hope in his speech that the season of goodwill would “transpose into the [Dáil] chamber”.

But that, of course, was a forlorn hope. While most politicians in Leinster House relate to each other very well outside the Dáil, it’s a different matter inside. And last night, the opposition could get the smell of blood. Christmas would just have to wait.