Good cop, bad cop Keating

Be nice to the Opposition and give credit where credit is due.

Fair play to Fine Gael backbencher Derek Keating for sticking to his new year’s resolution on the first day back.

“I welcome the opportunity to speak on the Tobacco Amendment Bill and from the outset I want to place on the record of the House here my admiration and congratulations to the Fianna Fáil leader for his pioneering work in 2004-2008 when he was minister for health and he introduced the Ban on Smoking in the Workplace Bill,” warbled Derek, much to the surprise of Billy Kelleher, the FF health spokesman.

As he continued to heap praise on Micheál Martin and his legislation, “much admired by many world democracies”, Billy graciously took the compliment on behalf of his boss. But here was Derek the following day, speaking on a Fianna Fáil Private Members’ motion on education: “Yesterday, I was happy enough to laud praise on the leader of Fianna Fail for his work as minister for health on the tobacco legislation. Today, regrettably, I have to criticise the same man and his party for this pointless and insensitive Private Member’s motion ...” We knew it wouldn’t last.