TDs add all the trimmings to feisty festive debate

Perhaps it’s the addition of turkey, ham, and all the trimmings on the menu in the Dáil canteen that has put TDs in a festive but feisty mood.

Or perhaps — as one Sinn Féin member suggested in the Dáil — it may be the thoughts of letting loose at the Christmas party that encouraged rowdiness and mischief yesterday.

Whatever the reason, some TDs will most probably have been crossed off Santa’s nice list and added to the naughty one after their raucous performances in the Dáil chamber yesterday.

It all began when Labour Communications Minister Alex White suggested TDs bunk off early — pointing out that they had covered all items on the Dáil agenda.

Cork Sinn Féin TD Jonathan O’Brien took serious issue with this, springing to his feet and claiming the Coalition parties must be very anxious to get out early to prepare for a Christmas party.

“I don’t know if you have your Christmas party tonight?” asked Mr O’Brien.

“Surely the whip has other legislation that we can introduce today,” he pleaded as more members of the opposition began to chime in.

“I just don’t think it’s acceptable that we are going to collapse today’s business.”

Fianna Fáil, which has thus far denied any possible post-election partnership with Sinn Féin, was keen to cosy up to their suitors by supporting Mr O’Brien. Robert Troy, who earlier in proceedings made it clear that all he wants for Christmas is a Government white paper on energy, said his party was “more than willing” to earnestly stay on to debate serious issues.

“I think it’s unbelievable to think that we are closing the House down today,” said the Fianna Fáil TD, barely audible above the noise and snide remarks bouncing back at him.

Mr White suggested deputies hadn’t been as eager to debate earlier in the morning. He claimed Mr Troy was not around to make “his big speech on climate change” and, when other matters were being discussed, not one opposition member was “bothered to be here”.

The remark set off the ejector button right across the opposition benches.

Fianna Fáil’s Barry Cowen jumped to his feet: “I was so here, I was so here, I was sitting there,” he shouted, pointing a finger to a seat close by.

Sinn Féin’s Sandra McLellan was also on her feet, demanding Mr White withdraw his statement, eager that her penance of sitting through the morning’s proceedings be acknowledged.

But Mr White could not be convinced; the Dáil got a half day and TDs hit the canteen for a festive feast.