DÁIL SKETCH:SINN FÉIN'S Arthur Morgan exuded anger. Glaring at Tánaiste and Minister for Finance Brian Cowen, he heaped scorn on the Soldiers of Destiny, writes Michael O'Regan
"There is more social conscience in a cat's arse than there is in the entire Fianna Fáil parliamentary party," he declared.
"They might not have robbed banks, but they robbed the people and gave the bank owners the people's money."
The source of Morgan's anger was the Tánaiste's amendment to the Finance Bill providing for tax breaks for the development of private hospices.
Morgan argued that all those in need should be entitled to palliative care, and taxpayers would be happy to fund it.
He wondered why he should expect any different from a Tánaiste and Government presiding over "this partial-parliament in this little semi-statelet".
He questioned why Fianna Fáil had received support in the general election and said it was a mystery why people had not seen through the party.
The Tánaiste snapped: "Long may the deputy suffer under that inhibition."
Fianna Fáil backbencher Martin Mansergh, who worked closely with Sinn Féin in the peace process, jumped to his party's defence.
"I have always had great difficulty understanding so-called republicans who do not recognise this Republic," he said.
Fianna Fáil's Johnny Brady was chairing proceedings, but Morgan was in full flight and ignored the Meath West TD's call on him to withdraw the remark about the Soldiers of Destiny.
Matters might have been different had Leas Cheann Comhairle Brendan Howlin still been in the chair. He had earlier taken the Order of Business in the absence of Ceann Comhairle John O'Donoghue. While O'Donoghue has become something of a benign and indulgent ringmaster, sometimes issuing reprimands more in sorrow than in anger, Howlin is a stickler for the rules.
Yesterday, Howlin ruthlessly cut short deputies, including his Labour colleagues, who were in breach of standing orders.
He reprimanded Fine Gael's Seymour Crawford for allowing his mobile phone to ring out. Crawford apologised.
Howlin felt that Fine Gael's Bernard Durkan was going on too long when he asked about drive-by shootings. Durkan suggested that if Howlin allowed him to finish his sentence it would help. "It will not," replied Howlin.
The Leas Cheann Comhairle was not beyond suggesting the appropriate ministerial reply.
Labour's Tommy Broughan asked about the Ceann Comhairle's pledge in The Irish Times"to reform the House".
Cowen expressed bewilderment. "The Tánaiste might communicate with the deputy," suggested Howlin. Cowen took the prompt. "I will communicate with him," he said.
Deputies will, no doubt, be relieved to see O'Donoghue back in the chair next week.