Minister Mary shows promise as Micheál offers a breath of fresh air

DÁIL Eireann will rise for the Christmas recess today meaning that it is time for the annual prizegiving. In the spirit of goodwill to all political men and women, here are this columnist’s Tallyman Awards for 2003.

Political Image of the Year

All of the images which are most appropriate for nomination in this category arise from the Iraq war. In February and March coverage of the preparations for and fighting of this war dominated the media. Now, in December, the capture of Saddam is the lead story. One of the images that sticks in my mind from 2003 was the visible ageing of Tony Blair as he tried to persuade his country of the merits of the war. However, the image which sums up the war and the political year was that of Ali Ismail Abbas, the 12-year-old boy who was badly burnt and had both of his arms blown away. He was the only survivor of a blast which killed his mother and seven other relatives in their sleep.