Kerry messiah cometh to save Ahern

"DON'T pay the Kerryman till he gets you to the other side" was the popular joke yesterday. But the danger that he might join the other side ensured that Jackie Healy-Rae collected his fare in advance.

He arrived at Leinster House looking for all the world like a Taoiseach-elect. He had his hand shook, his back slapped and his picture taken more than any other politician, including Bertie Ahern. Children screamed "Jackie, Jackie" through the railings, and a group of clean-cut youngsters gathered around a guitar to sing his praises. They looked like members of the Charismatic movement, and in a way they were: the South Kerry messiah was at hand.

It wasn't quite the 23rd of June in Kildare Street, but in every other respect it could have been Spancilhill the day before the fair. Ireland's sons and daughters were assembled in great numbers - among them the young, the old, the brave and the bold (and those were just the Independents).

Anti-abortion and anti-racism protesters stood in separate groups to the right of the gates; the Healy-Rae charismatics to the left. The large Sinn Fein contingent seized the key installation of Buswells Hotel. And beside them, indistinguishable except for the absence of Tricolours, a group of Socialist Party/Joe Higgins supporters gathered around a banner with the revolutionary slogan "Mulhuddart says: kick ass, Joe."

Inside the Chamber, it became apparent that the outgoing administration had made one last appointment. Alone of all deputies, P.J. Sheehan sat on the front row of seats, heckling everything that moved opposite. So enthused was he about his duties as Government Chief Whip that Labour's Jim Kemmy suggested he tone it down at one point.

There was mild surprise that the seconding of Mr Ahern did not come from the leader of the PDs, Ms Mary Harney. Instead, the honour went to the leader of the Dail's next-largest political grouping, the Lenihans. Mrs Mary O'Rourke may not be Tanaiste and neither of her nephews joined her on the front bench, but she laid down a marker.

Bertie rose as Taoiseach and spoke of past disappointments when "the cup was dashed from my lips". But he raised his eyes to the distinguished visitors' gallery where sat his partner, mother and daughters, and said: "I'm a better person for it".