DAIL SKETCH/Micheal O'Regan: The lot of a Taoiseach can be complex and varied. Following on his apology to a senior clerical figure in the North on Monday, Bertie Ahern was expected to be something of a theologian in the Dáil yesterday.
Labour's Michael D. Higgins raised the proposed open dialogue between the Government and churches and faith communities.
Sounding as if he was addressing a theological society, he noted that the 2001 British census revealed there were 170 different groups that considered themselves to be religious groups.
There had been, he added, an excellent conference on understanding Islam at the Chester Beatty Library recently.
"In what way does this dialogue relate to the United Nations consideration of a dialogue between civilisations?" Mr Higgins asked. "Is the purpose of this dialogue to engage with those who, for example, believe in secularism or pluralism, or is it to be seen as a force opposed to secularism?"
Mr Higgins's leader, Pat Rabbitte, had an expression resembling a mixture of amusement and bewilderment. So had Government Chief Whip, Tom Kitt, sitting behind Mr Ahern. A half-smile could also be detected on Mr Higgins's countenance.
But Mr Ahern remained straight-faced.
Listing a variety of churches, he added: "We are happy to engage with other churches and faith communities that may wish to be involved."
The Taoiseach agreed with Mr Rabbitte that the controversy surrounding the appointment of Ms Monica Leech to a public relations consultancy by Martin Cullen would not go away.
Mr Ahern added that he was not against the idea of finding someone to look at the relevant papers.
Mr Rabbitte said he was not casting any aspersions on the person concerned, noting that Mr Cullen, who made the appointment when he was minister for the environment, was immensely impressed by her professionalism and the fact that she was capable of rendering complex phenomena intelligible to the public.
"I can understand why any Minister might find that an extraordinary concept," he added.
Perhaps Mr Rabbitte had been listening earlier to the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Mr Ó Cuív, who was questioned by Labour's Brian O'Shea about the creation of additional posts under the Official Languages Act.
Accused of giving a misleading figure of 2,000 jobs, the Minister complained: "I am quoted and misquoted in newspapers ever day."
Later, Mr Ó Cuív said: "I do not believe there will be 2,000 extra jobs in the public service, but I believe that extra jobs will be created.
"If one wishes, one can put a figure of 2,000 on it. That is a reasonable figure, which is about 1 per cent of the public service."