Coughlan hosts theatre of smiles as a passing Cowen pops in

DÁIL SKETCH:IT WAS a special occasion indeed - for more than one reason. Surprisingly Taoiseach Brian Cowen graced the Dáil with his presence on a Thursday, having indicated he would stick to his predecessor's practice of only attending on two Dáil days.

But it was just a formality to inform the House of the confirmation of his new Cabinet, after they received their seals of office from President Mary McAleese late on Wednesday night.

And there was a little mix-up as he called out the names, initially referring to new Tánaiste Mary Coughlan as the Minister for Finance rather than as Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment. This had Ms Coughlan smiling broadly.

Once the Taoiseach's team had been "confirmed", Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny asked him "if the House is to be graced with his presence on Thursday mornings". With a big grin on his face Brian Cowen confirmed "the old arrangement worked exceedingly well".

And though the Taoiseach left for the North's investment conference, the Government side was out in force to support its new Tánaiste - 11 Cabinet members, 12 Ministers of State, 46 Fianna Fáil backbenchers, a Green and an Independent. No doubt Ms Coughlan appreciated the turnout, but she was certainly not in need of help.

She deftly answered the Fine Gael leader's questions about the Morris tribunal report. When he wanted to confirm the Dáil would go into summer recess on July 3rd, the Tánaiste neatly sidestepped and said "we need to decide the recess".

Labour leader Eamon Gilmore was in no mood for frivolity and described it as "an act of political cynicism" that the Morris report was introduced on the day a new Cabinet was formed. It reminded him of the British press officer "who circulated a memorandum on September 11st, 2001, suggesting to ministers if they had any bad news to release, it would be a good day to do so".

He then protested "very strongly" at the "arrogant way" the Taoiseach had refused to allow an extra hour for debate on the Government's formation. "It was clear what was going on," Mr Gilmore declared.

"Democracy!" shouted a Fianna Fáil backbencher.

Mr Gilmore said the timing of events in the Dáil on Wednesday "was meant to coincide with the main news bulletins".

"Another conspiracy!" was the call that then came from the government backbenches.

The Labour leader warned if that practice continued there would be a lot more votes through the lobbies. Ms Coughlan responded smoothly: "Luckily, as a woman of compassion, I do not take threats." To this, Mr Gilmore said: "I was not threatening, I was promising."

Labour's Joanna Tuffy congratulated the new Tánaiste on her elevation and said it was good to see a woman in the post, a sentiment echoed by colleague Jan O'Sullivan, who said "to see her walking behind the Taoiseach yesterday was the only cheerful aspect from the point of view of this side of the House".

But she was disappointed she would not be congratulating a new minister in her area, health: "We are stuck with 'blame-everyone-but-me' Mary."

"Ah stop that, it's not nice," said Minister for Arts Martin Cullen. The former PD member had a sarcastic grin on his face.

There was more humour when Fine Gael Cork TD PJ Sheehan suggested the Minister had "discarded her wellingtons" from the Department of Agriculture and "put on her new boardroom shoes" in her new department.

The Tánaiste thanked him and, with a smile, said that "I have moved from designer wellingtons, but I will loan them to him if he is stuck for a pair."