Killinaskully ministers - The great vaudeville Cabinet act

THOUGH fans of slapstick may be entertained the rest of us should again ask ourselves what have we done to deserve them.

Our diminutive but ever-grandstanding Defence Minister Willie O’Dea, suffering a dose of Saturday night fever in a Limerick bar, challenged a constituent to “step outside” when asked about his Dáil absence for a vote on Shannon Airport.

Showing the coolness under pressure more appropriate to a member of Cabinet, the constituent, former president of Garryowen Rugby Football Club and tourism professional John Fahey, suggested he’d gladly take up the challenge if the minister was “a bit taller”.