Dáil Sketch:The heady political happenings of last Tuesday were replaced in the Dáil yesterday with parable after parable of people let down, over many years, by the health services.
On Tuesday the Government announced its multi-million euro National Development Plan, in Dublin Castle, while Fine Gael met, in high optimism, in Clontarf Castle.
Yesterday was the second day of a two-day special session to debate the Health Bill 2006, which seeks to protect people dealing with the health services, including those in nursing homes.
So there was no Order of Business or Leaders' Questions as deputies assembled in the morning.
As they waited for Ceann Comhairle Dr Rory O'Hanlon to begin proceedings, Liz O'Donnell of the PDs was clearly intent on not wasting any time. Seated next to John O'Donoghue, she appeared to be lobbying the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism on some issue or other. Mr O'Donoghue, who looked like a man conducting a political clinic, took notes as Ms O'Donnell whispered in his ear.
For the rest of the day the focus was on the health services, with a dismal litany of chilling stories of neglect.
Waterford TDs John Deasy (FG) and Ollie Wilkinson (FF) referred to the controversy surrounding the death of Michelle Bray after inhaling some of the contents of a deodorant can.
Louth Fine Gael TD Fergus O'Dowd, who has led something of a crusade on the ill-treatment of the elderly in nursing homes, referred to a case in Cork some years ago. He said a recommendation that no sick person be sent to a nursing home had been ignored.
Fine Gael's Michael Ring said the mother of a 24-year-old man had come to his clinic.
"The man was working after qualifying with a degree. During Christmas he lost his sight, perhaps due to a stroke. He cannot get a scan for three or four months. Why must a young lad of 24 years of age wait four months for a scan when he has his full life to live?"
Praising the legislation, Government speakers spoke more in sorrow than anything else about past lapses in the health services.
Fianna Fáil's Cecilia Keaveney said she was sad that a day had been reached when a Bill had to be brought in dealing with inspections of nursing homes.
Government chief whip Tom Kitt, who followed much of the two-day debate, conceded that "dreadful mistakes" had been made and must be recognised.
By late afternoon deputies were retreating to their constituencies in this election year. Some, on the Government side, were clutching copies of the National Development Plan.
Hostilities begin in earnest next week when the Dáil resumes in full plenary session.
The 2007 election campaign will be in full swing.