Dail Sketch/Michael O'Regan: Brian Cowen was less than impressed yesterday when compared to a politician whom television viewers have found to be funny, if not entirely admirable at all times.
The politician is the colourful councillor Willie Power, made popular by the RTÉ television comedy series Killinaskully. He is believed to have Dáil ambitions.
Seated next to Bertie Ahern, who was engaged in a heated row with Pat Rabbitte, the Minister for Finance intervened.
"The part-time actor from Killinaskully wants to speak," snorted Mr Rabbitte.
Uncharacteristically silent for a few seconds, Mr Cowen snapped: "Deputy Rabbitte is an insulting boyo. When the pompous mask comes down, we see it."
Mr Ahern's row with Mr Rabbitte centred on an Opposition demand that the Taoiseach answer questions on the controversial Bill providing compensation for Hepatitis C and HIV victims.
Labour health spokeswoman Liz McManus was first in to demand that Mr Ahern reply to her questions on the issue. However, Ceann Comhairle Dr Rory O'Hanlon insisted they were not relevant under the standing orders governing the Order of Business.
And so the exchanges continued between Dr O'Hanlon and the Opposition, as a clearly exasperated Mr Ahern, head mostly bowed, looked on.
When finally called to speak, the Taoiseach noted there had been an agreement to raise such matters during Opposition leaders' questions which had been taken earlier.
"We have spent two hours and 20 minutes . . .," said Mr Ahern, noting how long he had spent in the chamber yesterday.
An angry Mr Rabbitte accused the Taoiseach of waffling about having to spend time in the House. "Deputy Rabbitte is the biggest waffler in the land," remarked Minister of State Noel Treacy.
When Minister of State Conor Lenihan intervened, he was told to "shut up" by Mr Rabbitte, who went on to accuse Mr Ahern of lecturing deputies about the amount of time he was "detained" in the House.
Mr Ahern's body language reflected his words of impatience with the noisy exchanges. "The Bill will be debated in the House tomorrow and any relevant points can be made."
Meanwhile, Mr Rabbitte had a postscript to the FF backbench affair. "I congratulate the Taoiseach on putting down the shortest-living rising since Slattery's Mounted Foot."
Enda Kenny added his postscript to the PD civil war and the apparently fragile truce. "This summer, Irish audiences are watching with new eyes a dark and divisive chapter in Irish politics.
"It has been described as spellbinding, heartrending and harrowing, and has pitted brother against brother, sister against sister, friend against friend. That is the PDs' contribution to the summer of politics in the letter from its trustees." He said he understood that The Wind that Shakes the Barley was also packing them in.