There’s something different about Mary

THERE they came, lolloping down the steps of the Dáil, Taoiseach and Tánaiste – all they needed was a couple of bowler hats and a slapstick routine involving a ladder and a bucket of water to confirm them as the Laurel and Hardy of Irish politics.

Our part-time parliament is not supposed to work like this, the big guy takes Tuesday and Wednesday and then rests while the number two staggers through Thursdays – what was going on?

Maybe all the rumours about Brian Cowen readying himself to dump Mary Coughlan have so rattled her she is now refusing to let him out of her sight so she will be able to try and grab the axe from his hands whenever it appears.