Dáil Sketch / Michael O'Regan: Back after the Easter recess, deputies concerned themselves with a variety of issues ranging from the plight of the Gama workers and protesting nurses to tributes to Pope John Paul.
As the Gama workers sat in the public gallery, Socialist Party TD Joe Higgins warned that they were destitute, borrowing their bus fares to come into the city centre for yesterday's protest outside the Dáil.
Meanwhile, Minister for Justice Michael McDowell revealed details of the wardrobe of a young Garda recruit, arousing interest and intrigue on the part of even the least fashion-conscious.
Proceedings began with a conciliatory note from Sinn Féin's Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin, who has had heated exchanges with Bertie Ahern in the past.
Welcoming the Taoiseach back to the House, he suggested, with an air of sweet reason, that he would accept the people's verdict on the EU constitution referendum in the event of a Yes vote. Would Mr Ahern do the same if the reverse was the case? Mr Ahern was giving no hostages to fortune on the treaty which he negotiated as president of Europe. "I note what the deputy said in the context of the referendum being defeated," he observed cryptically.
"Naturally I want to see it passed. There is no other plan."
Mr McDowell allayed Green Party concerns that Garda recruits were being asked to pay €400 for their uniforms. Not so, he declared.
However, a note was sent to students "instructing them to bring a formal suit, two pairs of black regulation shoes of solid leather construction of a plain type, a tracksuit, two gym singlets, two pairs of shorts, gym shoes, a gym kit bag, four pairs of white gym socks, a swimsuit or swimming trunks of a navy colour, one pair of flip-flops, a duvet quilt, a pillow and various other items".
Most items were available from the Templemore academy, and students were required to pay €400 for items three to 10, the Minister added.
Ciaran Cuffe, of the Greens, remarked: "It shames some of us to hear of the contents of their kitbags."
Mr McDowell said he was not in a position to say whether he owned Garda uniforms or whether the members did. "But I have a funny feeling I do."
Whatever else, the PD political emperor cannot be accused of having no clothes.