DÁIL SKETCH:IT WAS business as usual for the outgoing Taoiseach in the Dáil yesterday, writes Michael O'Regan
Bertie Ahern might be in his final weeks as head of the Government, but there was little variation in the way he answered Opposition questions.
The demeanour remained the same. He mostly stared down at his brief, sometimes making notes and occasionally sipping from a glass of water.
Brian Cowen, for whom the Opposition is waiting with an array of political scud missiles, is likely to stare them in the white of the eyes. Political blood will flow.
Ahern has always preferred a bloodless contest, if he can manage it. One of his devices is to attempt to overwhelm the Opposition with detail from official briefs.
He appeared relaxed, knowing that handling Dáil business will soon be a distant memory for him.
There were flashes of wry humour. He acknowledged that he was "not the world's greatest expert in technology by a long shot". But those in the know believed that technology meant the public had queries dealt with fully, rather than being told they were in the wrong office, should go elsewhere, or return another time, he said.
Eamon Gilmore suggested it was Ministers who were failing to come up with answers.
"Ministers never do that. They resolve everything instantly," the Taoiseach replied, with the makings of a half-smile.
Minister for Agriculture Mary Coughlan was accused of a lack of resolve by Fine Gael's Michael Creed. "On the scarcity of lamb, and not to be overly facetious, the deputy is well aware that Easter was celebrated early this year," said the Minister.
Dismissing Coughlan's reply, Creed scoffed: "If that is the Minister's defence, it is damn poor." The Minister, aware that Creed underwent surgery some time ago, remarked: "The deputy's hip is obviously still annoying him."
Labour's Seán Sherlock suggested that they consult the churches about the timing of Easter. "That is a separate question," said Trevor Sargent, Minister of State for Food.
"An ecumenical matter," suggested Sherlock. Coughlan said the issue would not arise again for another 40 years, and Creed and herself would not be too concerned by then.
Coughlan, like fellow Ministers, is more interested in Brian Cowen's new Cabinet. It is being speculated that she will be leaving the world of lamb scarcity for the bearpit of another ministry.
Enda Kenny, meanwhile, wanted to know when Ahern would spend his final day in the Dáil as Taoiseach so that the usual tributes could be paid. Kenny suggested there were those who felt he was not magnanimous enough when speaking about Ahern in the House last week.
The outgoing Taoiseach will clearly leave his office with tributes and applause ringing in his ears. That's politics.
After that it will be all-out Opposition war on Cowen.
That's politics, too.