Dáil Sketch / Michael O'Regan:Consigned to a political Trappist monastery, with a vow of verbal celibacy, Ceann Comhairle John O'Donoghue these days exudes the persona of a contemplative monk.
The one-time political bruiser shows endless patience as he presides over Dáil proceedings.
And so it was yesterday, when O'Donoghue maintained his composure while all around him lost their heads in strong exchanges between the Government and the Opposition.
On the Order of Business, presided over by Tánaiste Brian Cowen, Labour's Jan O'Sullivan returned to the state of the health services. "With respect, we cannot have a debate on this issue," said O'Donoghue.
But even the sometimes taciturn Cowen was having none of it.
"I ask the Ceann Comhairle to allow me make this point. Too often, the impression is left hanging that everything is wrong in the health service," said the Tánaiste. "The reality is that there are 5,000 people alive and well today who would have suffered perhaps fatal heart attacks if we had not implemented strategic changes in the area of treatment for heart disease, the other great killer."
O'Donoghue said: "We cannot debate this issue now."
But Cowen was clearly not listening and went on and on, emphasising that they were in the House to represent ordinary people.
O'Sullivan remarked that ordinary people were saying that additional resources were required.
O'Donoghue noted that he had called Fine Gael's Seymour Crawford to raise a point. However, oblivious to the Ceann Comhairle's reprimand, the Cowen-O'Sullivan debate continued.
When it petered out, Fine Gael's Brian Hayes raised the matter of Seanad reform, and another series of exchanges followed. "We cannot have a debate on this issue or we will be here all day," said an exasperated O'Donoghue.
Again nobody appeared to be listening. Labour leader Eamon Gilmore spoke of the need for "universal suffrage". O'Donoghue suffered on.
Fine Gael's Michael Ring said he had a question of interest to Independent Finian McGrath, who voted with the Government in the confidence motion after a few days of soul-searching.
"When will the noise Bill come before the House? There was much noise last week from Deputy Finian McGrath and various Government backbenchers, but there was no action," said Ring.
Cowen remarked: "There is no better man in the House than Deputy Ring to ask about the noise Bill. He has the best set of lungs in west Mayo."
Ring, with McGrath still in mind, observed: "As they say in my area, that takes the biscuit."
Labour's Ruairí Quinn said: "Deputy Finian McGrath took the shilling."
As the Order of Business continued, and the decibel level rose, O'Donoghue observed: "I assure Deputy Ring he is not the only person interested in the noise Bill."
Clearly, there are times when the Dáil's monk questions the demands of his vocation.