Dáil committees - The clock is ticking

BY THE time Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has nominated members to each of the 23 Dáil committees named yesterday virtually each and every Fianna Fáil deputy will have a seat on one — whether they deserve it or not.

Whether this is to do with efficient administration and development of our democracy or quelling angry backbenchers remains to be seen.

How much longer these appointments will defer an almost inevitable heave against a Taoiseach already well into his political lap of honour also remains to be seen.

The appointments will bring a glow of satisfaction for a while — especially to the chairmen, who pocket €20,000 a year for their troubles — but one more Susie Long, one more panic programme of school building or another Shannon betrayal will quickly smother that feeling of warmth so essential to political loyalty.

The Taoiseach may as well talk about our contribution to world peace or our influence on human rights in China as to once again chant the mantra about peace in the North and our unprecedented economic growth. Nowhere is the pleasure of eaten bread more quickly forgotten than in politics and as soon as enough backbenchers consider Mr Ahern to be of the past rather than of the future the game will be up.

The only question is when.