Dáil sketch: Alex White enjoys courtroom atmosphere as FF case is dismissed

The Four Courts came to visit the Dáil yesterday, albeit briefly. There was a bit of college debating society thrown in for good measure.

And then the ever-present heckling voices, some of them even witty.

It was barrister, TD and Minister for Communications Alex White who created the courtroom atmosphere.

Standing in for Tánaiste Joan Burton for Leaders’ Questions, he was there to answer the Opposition’s queries on topical issues.

And definitely topical was Derek Brockwell’s escape from custody after stabbing two prison officers.

Fianna Fáil justice spokesman Niall Collins said it raised lots of issues. These included Garda resources (no armed gardaí with the prison escort as there used to be) and equipment for prison officers including stab vests, pepper spray and batons.

There were wider issues of security for frontline emergency workers, including nurses, doctors and firefighters as well as gardaí and prison officers.

And there was the Taoiseach’s response to it all, said the Limerick TD. Enda Kenny’s “amazing statement” argued that the incident had nothing to do with Garda resources, he said. And he asked how many requests had been made for an armed Garda escort.

White, a relatively new Cabinet member, was like an old pro, giving the standard response as if he had been born to it. Ah, the benefits of all that barristry.

Regret for the incident – tick. Prisoners officers do a great job – tick. That great job is often done under considerable pressure – tick, tick. And in the context of such an incident, saying “which may well be an unusual and isolated one” is a good back-covering response. Sure, it hardly ever happens.

And agreement with the Opposition (rare, of course, but when it comes to talking nicely about public servants, a given) that the welfare of prison officers, gardaí and health service personnel is paramount (triple tick). Talking nice doesn’t cost now, does it?

Escape line

And the great escape line: sure we can’t be saying much ’cos it’s an operational matter, and there’s an investigation or three ongoing. It would not be appropriate at all, at all, and nor would it be possible for the Minister to comment “on any aspect of the incident”.

But then he went on to comment, as one does. “I agree with the Taoiseach,” said White. Ah now, Niall, what do you expect. They’re in Coalition. He’d hardly disagree.

The barrister’s considered answer was that he agreed with the Taoiseach “in the sense that there is no evidence or basis for the assumption which the deputy appears to have arrived at, that this incident occurred because of a lack of resources”.

And sure, look at all those resources: 100 new Garda recruits started training last September, another 100 in December, and another 100 only last week. Sure, of course no lack of resources.

Garda cars

And then there’s the millions for the Garda cars, but no mentions of millions for the Prison Service. And, too, the standard finish-off-Fianna-Fáil line, that where possible more money would be found to fill the “enormous gap” left by the actions of the deputy’s party.

But Collins replied that this Government continued the recruitment moratorium for four years – to the amusement of the Fine Gael backbenchers. Oh, how they chuckled at that one.

And the Minister didn’t answer questions on requests for armed escort, one of the benefits of a lengthy official reply.

Niall didn’t appreciate the nice talk about the frontline workers. It rang hollow, he cried.

Alex didn’t like Niall’s mocking of his nice talk and, in pure barristerial tones, told him: “He should not call into question the sincerity of my remarks regarding the welfare of individuals when I would not question his sincerity in that regard.”

The Minister said the FF man “has no evidence and has not placed any on the record of this House, despite his bleatings” of lack of resources.

“It’s not a court of law”, replied Collins.

The barrister-Minister responded that the members opposite did not want to hear the (good news) information because “it does not suit the narrative they are trying to convey”.

In the end, nobody was much wiser, but the Government TDs were happy. The Minister did his job.