Fine Gael suffered an embarrassing gaffe last night after party leader Enda Kenny was not ready to take to the platform when he was introduced to delegates on the opening night of the party's ardfheis in Dublin.
Lauding Mr Kenny's leadership, Carlow-Kilkenny TD Phil Hogan told several hundred delegates that Fine Gael was ready for government under a leader who has proven himself to be energetic enough for the campaign ahead.
Having risen to their feet, the delegates applauded and applauded but no sign emerged of Mr Kenny, who had not been outside the door of the Citywest's Verschoyle Suite to make his entrance.
To make matters worse, television cameras and newspaper photographers, who had been in place to capture Mr Kenny's arrival, instead turned to focus on delegates as their clapping began to slow.
"That was a dress rehearsal. Sorry about that," joked Mr Hogan, who was clearly less than pleased at the mix-up, particularly after one member of the audience dryly declared: "Well done, Phil."
Within a few minutes Mr Kenny had arrived outside, although Mr Hogan was playing it safe, delaying his introduction until the main door was open and he could see his leader ready to enter.
Out of breath, Mr Kenny then launched into his speech about the inequities, inefficiencies and infections within the health service.
