Dáil Sketch with Marie O'Halloran: The Minister for Justice has been accused of many things. But yesterday was probably the first time Michael McDowell was charged with "personation".
His misdemeanour was detected by none other than eagle-eyed Sinn Féin inspector Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin during a vote on the controversial Intoxicating Liquor Bill.
As the new Minister for Finance, Mr Cowen, took his first Order of Business, Fianna Fáil TDs jumped to life when the phrase "act of impersonation" passed Insp Ó Caoláin's lips.
He had asked the Ceann Comhairle to clarify that all TDs had sat in their correct seats for the electronic vote as they may have "voted erroneously for another member".
When he asked if the Minister for Justice was the culprit, the reaction was swift and raucous. "Impersonation - you must be joking," boomed Jim Glennon. "Impersonation once again," Minister of State Conor Lenihan almost sang.
"Your party would know all about that," said the Minister for the Environment, Dick Roche.
The Ceann Comhairle, Dr Rory O'Hanlon, diplomatically pointed out that the Cabinet reshuffle resulted in a change in seating, and "there was one error in placing this morning that I am aware of, and it will be corrected in the journal of the proceedings".
But Deputy Ó Caoláin wanted his pound of flesh. "Was that deputy the Minister for Justice?" he asked of Sinn Féin's nemesis.
"Well spotted by the deputy," said the Minister, somewhat sarcastically.
"At least the Minister only voted once," said Cork TD Danny Wallace.
However, it was the amending Intoxicating Liquor Bill that brought such Opposition glee yesterday. They were positively giddy at the introduction of the Bill which will allow under-18s attend alcohol-free events in licensed premises.
Labour leader Pat Rabbitte took his time over the word "wrong" and used it more than once to describe Mr McDowell's interpretation of the existing Act.
"I accept that the House may not be able to cope with a proposition as awful as the Minister for Justice being WRONG," he emphasised. "It appears the only reason the Bill must conclude all stages today is to put behind him as rapidly as possible the fact that the Minister was WRONG."
Mr McDowell said he only brought forward the legislation because he was informed at Cabinet that every case of an alcohol-free disco being held on licensed premises would be brought to court, and he was determined this should not happen.