San Marino performance raised in the Dáil

The Republic of Ireland’s poor performance against San Marino in last night’s Euro 2008 qualifier was raised in the Dáil today.

The Greens described the Progressive Democrats as the ’San Marino’ of Irish politics while Tánaiste Michael McDowell said Labour’s Liz McManus had no chance of getting Steve Staunton’s manager job.

San Marino were on the brink of clinching their first point in their European Championship history following 37 consecutive defeats when the Republic of Ireland made it 2-1 in injury time.

Referring to the health services, Labour Party deputy leader Liz McManus compared the Government’s performance with the Republic’s international footballers.

“I think the dismal record of the Government is only matched by the performance in football yesterday,” she said.

Later speaking about promised legislation, she addressed Mr McDowell: “Why is it that you can’t even score with your own timetable set out before the Dáil?”

Mr McDowell said he wouldn’t comment on the Republic’s game because he didn’t see it.

But he added to the Bray TD: “I can guarantee you one thing. There is nobody suggesting that Steve Staunton should step aside for the deputy to take over.”

“I can guarantee you that,” he said to laughter from the Government benches.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern quipped: “Bray was never renowned for its soccer.”

Green TD Dan Boyle then stood up and said: “Seeing as the Tánaiste represents the San Marino of Irish politics, I don’t think he is in any position to judge anybody’s performance.”