THERE WAS a very lively discussion at the Fine Gael parliamentary party meeting this week on the thorny subject of “recent pay increases for ministerial advisers.” Deputy Derek Keating’s motion that these increases be reviewed by the party sparked a very robust debate, with arguments for and against breaching the Government’s pay cap.
The highlight of the meeting was provided by Deputy James Bannon, who erupted in spectacular fashion when he took umbrage at Minister of State Michael Ring and party chairman Charlie Flanagan.
It marked a welcome return for our old friend “Bonkers Bannon”, who has been far too quiet since he moved to the respectable confines of the Government benches. Deputy Bannon arrived late to the meeting, as the talk of salaries was winding down. Minister James Reilly, who was in the chair, was about to reply to the debate when Bannon jumped to his feet.
Getting more agitated as he spoke, he told of a 78-year-old pensioner in his constituency who is in receipt of a public service pension and in full-time employment again. “Wrong! Wrong! Wrong!” he roared.
Chairman Flanagan pointed out to the bellowing Bannon that the pensioner didn’t work as a ministerial adviser, so his story wasn’t relevant to the motion. The assembled deputies and Senators thought this was hilarious.
A miffed Bannon kept going, exchanging words with Michael Ring at one point, before he finally subsided.
Reilly tried to start again, but only managed to get a few words out before James was back on his feet.
“You’re a disgrace! You’re an absolute disgrace!” he thundered at Charlie Flanagan, before he stormed out, nearly taking the door off its hinges.
“It was such a performance, I nearly forget the other groundbreaking development at the meeting” a deputy tells us. “Peter Mathews didn’t open his mouth once. There wasn’t a peep out of him.” Enda’s much reported dawn dressing down of Banker Mathews certainly seems to have had the desired effect. The following morning, during Leaders’ Questions, James and Peter sat side by side, in splendid isolation. Bonkers and Banker – twin titans of Fine Gael. They made a lovely couple.
