DÁIL SKETCH:IT WAS the Tánaiste's third successive day in the political crucible of the Taoiseach's usual seat in the Dáil yesterday.
Having stood in for Bertie Ahern at Leaders' Questions on Tuesday and Wednesday, it was Brian Cowen's lot yesterday to take the Order of Business.
There was no mention of the Mahon tribunal, but it was an issue discussed outside the chamber, with some gallows humour surfacing.
"Bertie is not seeking political asylum in Warsaw, and Brian is not about to lead a coup," said a Fianna Fáil backbencher, hurrying towards the chamber to sit behind Mr Cowen.
The Tánaiste was flanked by PD Minister for Health Mary Harney, a notable absentee with the senior Green Party Ministers when Mr Cowen came under pressure on the Taoiseach's evidence to the tribunal earlier in the week.
Ms Harney was in the chamber for a series of statements on pharmaceutical pricing.
The Opposition was unhappy with the format of the debate and demanded a division.
As deputies gathered for the electronic vote, Mr Cowen and Ms Harney engaged in obviously amiable conversation.
Fine Gael chief whip Paul Kehoe then demanded a manual vote which meant deputies had to walk through the lobbies.
Green Party Minister for the Environment John Gormley approached Mr Cowen to discuss something or other. There appeared to be nothing very amiable about their exchanges.
The body language seemed strained. There was some hand-waving.
What could it have been about? The Mahon tribunal? Department of Finance funding for a pet Green Party project? When the vote was over, Mr Cowen and Mr Gormley resumed their business-like chat.
Indeed, Mr Cowen was so engrossed in the conversation that he seemed unaware of a friendly pat on the shoulder from Independent Jackie Healy-Rae who was passing by.
It was, no doubt, a Healy-Rae gesture of thanks for the funding of some project in Kerry South.
Mr Cowen was later overcome with a wave of humility. He apologised for possibly misleading the House on a criminal law Bill.
"I will always admit to a mistake," said the Tánaiste. "If I was in error yesterday, I am very sorry." Fine Gael's PJ Sheehan, from Cork South West, was forgiving. "To err is human and to forgive is divine," he remarked.
Ceann Comhairle John O'Donoghue, from nearby Kerry South, remarked: "We do not need any philosophy at this hour of the morning," he said.
Westmeath Labour TD Willie Penrose disagreed. "We like the southern philosophy, the deep southwestern category," he declared.
Meanwhile, the Taoiseach's brother, Minister of State Noel Ahern, watched proceedings from the lobby, elbow resting on the railing, clearly deep in thought.
What philosophy will he have to impart to Bertie when they consider the fallout from recent days this weekend?
