Dáil Sketch/Michael O'Regan: The Taoiseach, who recently emerged from the political closet as a socialist, remarked that there was no easy route right or left.
"The Taoiseach responds to the left," said Fine Gael's Bernard Durkan.
However, it was not a debate on political ideology, but rather the more mundane issue of the proposed M3 route in Meath, which the Opposition is claiming will plunder the Royal county's archaeological heritage.
"Socialists do not like the high kings," observed Independent TD, Finian McGrath.
Rather than reaching for the writings of Karl Marx to justify his position, Mr Ahern evoked instead the contented swans of north Dublin. Socialism can sometimes be a practical business. "I recall the proposal for the Swords bypass in the mid-1990s," he said.
"It was supposed to change Irish wildlife forever, and all the swans in Ireland were going to depart. It is there now and the swans have never looked happier."
Mr McGrath visualised Mr Ahern's own version of the Children of Lir becoming a Christmas bestseller.
Mr Ahern said he was concerned about improving road safety, the quality of roads, road barriers and other issues.
"I am trying to get commuters safely to their destinations."
The stream of consciousness continued. "At least this time, it is about our heritage, about which I would be more sympathetic than with the swans, which are breeding very well, and the snails which have moved on. This is more significant, and I would like the archaeologists to provide the Government with a clear report on what they honestly believe, and perhaps then the Government can call it."
The Labour leader, Pat Rabbitte, who raised the issue, clashed with the Meath-born Minister for Communications, Noel Dempsey.
"I am not advancing the arguments," said Mr Rabbitte. "Archaeological scholars of international standing are advancing these arguments."
Mr Dempsey observed: "They are not doing the excavations."
Meanwhile, the Minister for Finance, Brian Cowen, who is expected to undertake major political excavation work in today's Budget, to rebuild the Government's caring attitude, made a brief appearance in the chamber.
Backbenchers expect to be as contented as the swans of Swords by the time Mr Cowen finishes his Budget speech this afternoon.