THERE were a number of disappointed long-serving re-elected deputies in Leinster House this week, their bright prospects destroyed by voting strengths in the Dail.
The Ceann Comhairle's job - a major perk with huge status, a wonderful Leinster House office, State car, salary of £81,000 and automatic election to the next Dail - was up for grabs and the TDs weren't allowed to accept the tentative offers coming their way from the new Government.
In a tight Dail, the chair usually goes to an Independent but Tony Gregory, the only one with the experience necessary to run the chamber, was considered too independent by some and as lacking sufficient sartorial and vocal elegance by others, for the job. Consequently, the incoming Government sought a member of the Opposition and FG's Austin Deasy, Jim Mitchell and Brendan McGahon were mentioned and showed various degrees of interest. The new Opposition offered the job to Des O'Malley as part of their attempt to form a government and reduce numbers on the other side of the house. He said no.
Two weeks ago, the outgoing FG front bench took a decision that as there would be no more Tallaght Strategy, vigorous and sustained opposition meant a three-line whip would operate and no deputy could take the chair. Mitchell in particular was said to be desperately disappointed, given his many sacrifices over the years for the party - not least his decision to run this time.
Labour took a more relaxed view. With their deputies greatly depleted and conscious of the electoral advantage in turning Carlow/Kilkenny into a four-seater, Dick Spring gave the go-ahead to Seamus Pattison, a loyal deputy and Father of the House. The Fine Gaelers could only grin and bear it. Ditto the would-be presidential candidates on the FF side.