DÁIL SKETCH:MAN OVERBOARD Denis Naughten was nowhere to be seen in the Dáil chamber at yesterday morning's Order of Business.

The Roscommon Fine Gael TD was elsewhere, as he awaited the inevitable loss of the party whip after voting against the Government on the local hospital issue.

Naughten’s constituency colleague Frank Feighan, who had remained on board despite choppy political waters back home, sat on the backbenches.

The Opposition could not contain its glee in the face of the Coalition’s embarrassment.

Fianna Fail’s Éamon Ó Cuív, known as “Dev Óg” because of his likeness to grandfather Éamon de Valera, asked about health legislation and the pledge to reform the HSE.

“Is the programme for government fast becoming the greatest fairytale book ever written?” he asked.

Fine Gael’s James Bannon, from Longford, where they know about such matters, suggested there would be meetings at the crossroads again.

This was a pun on dancing at the crossroads, sometimes used as a metaphor for Dev’s social policy all those decades ago.

“Dev Óg” allowed himself a half-smile and went on to put the boot in by asking if the closure of small hospitals was part of what the Government called reform.

Feighan, spectacles perched on his head, was busy checking text messages on his mobile phone.

He looked up sharply when Independent Finian McGrath suggested that Feighan should withdraw his description of Independent Roscommon TD Luke “Ming” Flanagan as a “political thug” during Wednesday night’s Dáil debate.

“There is no need for language like that,” said McGrath. “It is absolutely disgraceful.” Feighan was unrepentant. “Ah Finian, will you grow up,” he said.

Although Ceann Comhairle Seán Barrett ruled the matter out of order, Fine Gael’s Mary Mitchell O’Connor was anxious to continue with it.

“Yesterday, text messages were being sent in calling deputies murderers and traitors,” she said.

“It is an absolute disgrace.” She claimed those responsible had been put up to it by other parties.

McGrath asked if she was saying that a member of his technical group was responsible.

“She should get off the stage,” he added.

Bannon, of the crossroads meetings, was soon back on stage, claiming the Ceann Comhairle had ignored him when he wanted to raise a matter about promised legislation.

“I put up my hand, a Cheann Comhairle,” said Bannon.

Barrett said he had called him twice, but he had not responded.

“You did not,” insisted Bannon. “I am disappointed.”

Timmy Dooley, of Fianna Fail, a party still engulfed in post-election disappointment, suggested that Bannon would get over it.

Dooley went on to claim that Bannon had been too slow in seeking the Ceann Comhairle’s attention.

Fine Gael’s Bernard Durkan accused Fianna Fáil of spending years in government being slow.

Unimpressed by the trading of insults, the Ceann Comhairle reminded TDs they were in a national parliament and moved on to the next business.

A deflated Bannon withdrew to contemplate a crossroads clinic back home in Longford.