DAIL SKETCH/Frank McNally: The House was debating legislation to give effect to the Montreal Convention on Air Transport, which among other things updates compensation terms for loss of passengers' belongings.
It was an uncontentious measure, but it served to highlight an important point. Whatever else you can criticise the Dáil for, it's one place you'll never lose your baggage.
Just ask Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin. With the Taoiseach in Madrid and the Tánaiste deputising on Leaders' Questions, the Sinn Féin man opted to raise the €500,000 in various reported donations to Fianna Fáil that have never reached the organisation's coffers, a matter the party says it cannot investigate until the tribunals conclude.
Was the Tánaiste not "as incredulous as I", asked Mr Ó Caoláin, of Fianna Fáil's explanation for not mounting an inquiry into the misappropriation of its funds. It must have seemed a good idea at the time. Unfortunately, no sooner had he mentioned funds than he was deluged with helpful reminders of his own party's financial history. Such was the paroxysm of heckling that seized the Government benches, you could hardly make out individual contributions.
But the voice of Johnny Brady was heard asking: "What about the money from the bank in Navan?"
Dermot Ahern weighed in with: "How much did Martin McGuinness get in America last week?" And John O'Donoghue suggested that if Sinn Féin was launching any inquiries, it should start in its own offices.
By the time they were finished reconciling him with his party baggage, Mr Ó Caoláin was badly in need of a trolley. And taking advantage of his temporary immobility, Ms Harney gave him the slip.
The only thing she found incredible was the deputy's "neck", she said, to cheers.
Elsewhere on Leaders' Questions, Pat Rabbitte asked why the Government had decided to "go after widows" by removing their entitlement to half-rate unemployment and disability benefits.
The Tánaiste responded that the Government was not "going after" anyone.
"It is going after them," insisted Emmet Stagg.
"It has gone after them," added Brendan Howlin.
But even as they spoke, the low hum of a conveyor belt rose in the background, and the Fianna Fáil ground handling staff swung into action again.
"The deputies opposite have poor memories," offered Dermot Ahern, holding up a tattered briefcase labelled: Rainbow Coalition budgets. "An increase of £1.50 is all that government gave them," he said.
This was the signal for old luggage to start arriving from everywhere, as the opposition joined in flinging the stuff onto the carousel.
"The Hercule Poirot of the Fianna Fáil party," announced Pat Rabbitte in the direction of Mr Ahern.
"Remember Charlie's dirty dozen cuts," said Seán Ryan, towards the Government benches in general.
As usual, nobody left the baggage hall empty-handed. In the confusion, however, a solitary case continued to go uninvestigated. "€500,000 donations to Fianna Fáil" read the tag, as it circled around and around, its rightful ownership still a mystery.