Operation Freeflow is working well in the Department of Transport.
There is a veritable exodus of staff from the office of Minister of State Ivor Callely, whose responsibilities include the nightmare which is Dublin's traffic.
Mind you, if matters continue as they are there is always the possibility of a human traffic jam blocking the corridors of the ministerial office.
He was not in the House yesterday when the matter of the latest staff member to motor away from "engine Callely" was raised. Following a pattern set by a number of private secretaries, Mr Callely's constituency secretary Niall Phelan has given a month's notice.
Labour leader Pat Rabbitte noted that only one-in-nine civil servants was prepared to move out of Dublin, and suggested that Mr Callely be switched around to a few departments.
"He would shift them all," remarked Fine Gael's Michael Ring.
Mr Rabbitte remarked that the Minister of State's difficulties gave a whole new meaning to Operation Freeflow, the strategy designed to ease traffic congestion in the capital which was launched last Sunday by Mr Callely.
"It is all one way," observed Mr Ring.
Joe Higgins, of the Socialist Party, remarked that the Department of Transport's senior minister, Martin Cullen, had been out "throwing shapes at the semi-permanent traffic jam at the M50 toll bridge", and asked about the precise time scale for the introduction of toll relief.
"Hard-pressed motorists want to get through that toll bridge at least as quickly as the Minister of State Deputy Callely gets through his private secretaries."
Fine Gael's Bernard Durkan asked Tánaiste Mary Harney, who was taking the Order of Business, if she had had any discussions with the Taoiseach with a view to "reining in 'Ivor the Terrible' before he chases off all the departmental staff".
Ms Harney, managing to keep a straight face, remarked that the Government was not planning any specific legislation regarding Mr Callely.
"Emergency legislation, maybe," suggested Fine Gael's David Stanton.
Later, there was the annual outbreak of bonhomie when Ceann Comhairle Dr Rory O'Hanlon formally switched on the lights of the Christmas tree on Leinster Lawn, a ceremony initiated about a decade ago by the then Labour senator Pat Magnier.
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, party leaders, Minister for Justice Michael McDowell, TDs and senators were present, all wishing each other a happy Christmas.
Representatives of the nearby St Andrew's Resource Centre were also there.
The Taoiseach was delighted with the good humour given that they spent time "sparring at each other" in the Dáil chamber.
Piper Peter Daly played a number of tunes, including Hard Times (come again no more).
Mr Callely was not present, and nobody was sure if anybody was still on his staff to represent him.
