New Cabinet gets down to business
It was business as usual in the Dáil today as the new cabinet solemnly took their seats on the front bench.
The first session passed uneventfully with just the briefest of nods in acknowledgement of the Taoiseach’s new line-up.
As former Defence Minister Michael Smith looked down from his new position on the back benches, opposition TDs could not resist throwing a few jibes in his direction.
Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny expressed concern for Ceann Comhairle Dr Rory O’Hanlon’s job given Mr Smith’s claims he would be hanging on for a while longer.
Labour leader Pat Rabbitte joined in, adding that if he was seen having a drink with the former minister no-one should presume he was taking sides.
The embattled Tipperary North TD took the digs well, laughing and raising his palms to the air in mock surrender.
Mr Kenny also took the opportunity to criticise Justice Minister Michael McDowell for being unaware Garda speed cameras had been defective for more than a year.
“Taoiseach, do you not feel a bit uneasy about the fact that you have a very senior minister in the Department of Justice who admitted he doesn’t know what’s happening in terms of penalty points and speeding cameras?” he said.
But the comments were brushed aside as the Order of Business got underway in earnest, marking the start of the new parliamentary year.
Bertie Ahern confirmed that all new ministers had received their seals of office from President Mary McAleese and formally announced the positions of each of the new Ministers of State.
Meanwhile Labour’s Michael D Higgins sought the adjournment of the Dail to discuss the number and conditions of prisoners held in Iraq, specifically the plight of British hostage Kenneth Bigley.
Socialist Party leader Joe Higgins called for a discussion on proposals to sell Aer Lingus and the consequent loss of 1,300 jobs.
Mr Rabbitte asked the Taoiseach why the Bill to revise constituency boundaries was not on the list of legislation to come before the House this term.
“It’s promised that it may be published in 2005 but one hears several of your likely-to-be-affected back benchers expressing conditional wonderment about whether it will ever be enacted in the lifetime of this Dail,” he said.
Prompted by laughter and heckles from Mr Ahern’s fellow Dublin North TD, Independent Finian McGrath, Mr Ahern said the Bill would be brought forward.
“In spite of Deputy McGrath’s pleas to leave it as it is, it will be enacted,” he said. “There has been a practice for 25 years of taking the Independent Commission’s report and enacting the changes.”
