There was praise for the Minister for Agriculture, Joe Walsh, and his handling of the foot-and-mouth crisis from party colleagues this week. Lauded at the Fianna Fail Parliamentary Party on Wednesday, he received, according to one insider, a sitting ovation. This is as good as a standing ovation at other forums, Quidnunc was told. On the way out, one member whispered to him: "Remember, Joe, you are only as good as your last sheep."