Dáil bemused by Sargent’s ode to the mighty sprout

FOOD MINISTER Trevor Sargent’s decision to advise people on the best way of cooking brussels sprouts provoked much mirth in the Dáil yesterday.

Earlier this week, Mr Sargent, who is a junior minister at the Department of Agriculture, issued a press release after inspecting the brussels sprout crop for Christmas.

“The best way I find to cook brussels sprouts is to first prepare them in the usual way,” Mr Sargent said in the release. “Place them in a large saucepan, in a single layer if possible and pour in a little boiling water, barely enough to cover the stalks. Sprinkle some salt over them, add a knob of butter.