Dail Sketch/Miriam Lord:Shopping channels, amphibious double-deckers, missing Greens and an exploding Willie.
And yet it was impossible to concentrate in Leinster House, for the joyous news had landed.
The Government Information Service relayed it in low-key fashion, as the Taoiseach doesn't want to draw too much attention to himself these days. This is in case nasty people say he is trying to deflect attention from his increasingly mortifying attempts to dodge the Mahon tribunal.
So there was just the one press release confirming that Bertie is to address the United States Congress on April 30th. "SINGULAR HONOUR FOR IRELAND," it whispered, in bold type.
The Taoiseach followed this with a discreet notification to his people via an interview on the Six One News. Followed by a weary pledge that he must continue to do his duty and help the tribunal "the best I can, and at least hope that there is fair procedures, at least some of the time, if not much of the time".
He says it is business as usual for him at Dublin Castle (Still no answering straight.) As he pointed out to the nation, he is not challenging the tribunal in the High Court. No, he is merely challenging it on three legal points. Which is a different thing altogether.
A teatime nation, tucking into its spuds, is not so inclined to argue back. Which might go some way towards explaining why the Taoiseach appeared so pleased with himself. That, and the fact that the date for his big day on Capitol Hill has been set.
This had a calming effect on Opposition leaders, who seemed disinclined to upset Bertie so soon after receiving the green light from Washington. He strolled into the chamber in good spirits. How could the Opposition even think of mounting an attack on him now, and him sitting there with the Constitution in one hand and the American Congress in the other? Enda Kenny decided to talk about shopping channels. It was very pleasant. When deputies come from constituencies a long way from Dublin, they must spend a lot of time in hotels. That's probably how Enda knows so much about QVC - it is a well known shopping channel.
He appeared interested yesterday in purchasing a boat. What's that? Sorry. Apparently he was talking about something called a QBC, which is a quality bus corridor. No idea why he did this using boating metaphors, droning on about rowing back and forward on Government policy, dropping oars and abandoning ship.
Eamon Gilmore wanted to know where all the members of the Green party have gone. Bertie hadn't a clue. He can't be expected to answer any hard questions now.
Earlier on, Minister for Defence Willie O'Dea exploded in the chamber (It's a perk of the job, along with the occasion jaunt in a real tank). Corporal O'Dea was being needled by Fine Gael's John Deasy, who wanted to know how the Irish soldiers in Chad would be transported to their base. Deputy Deasy said there were no arrangements in place.
Not so, bristled Cpl O'Dea. General Nash, who is in charge of operations, had informed him that everything is sorted.
But John remained unconvinced. "Ya must be deaf as well as everything else."
He said 'Yes, they are sorted out'." roared the Minister. "Can you hear that, or do I have to use smaller words for you to understand?" Deasy and O'Dea laid into each other, until Willie exploded and called John a liar.
This is the Dáil's equivalent of the nuclear option. The Leas- Cheann Comhairle insisted he apoligise. Which the Minister did, with the utmost bad grace.
"I said he was lying to the House, it is true and I withdraw."
Life is looking good again for Bertie. "I have a mandate to rule until 2012" he said on the Six One News.
A mandate to rule, and a licence to dodge.