Sex, violence and economic chaos as Dáil shuts shop

THE forbidden caress of Lady Chatterley kissed the Dáil goodbye yesterday — but there were few lovers of the lady Tánaiste as she came dangerously close to challenging the opposition to a spot of fisty-cuffs outside.

A manic fever gripped the chamber — and almost overwhelmed Mary Coughlan — as TDs strained to escape into their two-month summer vacation. Bridled by opposition jeers, the Government was staggering into the recess exhausted and beaten before the Tánaiste insisted: “This Government is lean, mean and fit for purpose.”

To which the opposition benches erupted in hysteria. “It’s mean and broke!” shouted one deputy. Another heckled: “It’s mean-ingless!”