Dáil Sketch/Michael O'Regan:It was the day that Dev's grandson was confronted with the reality of restoring Irish as the spoken language.
Éamon Ó Cuív sat on the Taoiseach's seat, perhaps as his grandfather did, perplexed by the Opposition's criticism.
Mr Ó Cuív, known as "Dev Óg", the grandson of Eamon de Valera, was apparently bewildered by the criticism heaped upon his Government.
Fine Gael's Dinny McGinley noted that they were discussing two documents, the statement on the Irish language issued by the Government in December 2006 and the 2002 Coimisiún.
Labour's Brian O'Shea said he was sick and tired of studies, committees and fora being established when little or nothing was happening in regard to the crisis facing the Gaeltacht and the Irish language generally.
The Minister, he said, was overly dependent on legislation as the way to revive the language and strengthen its development.
Radical thinking was needed for Irish. If the language was to have any chance the various State functions in regard to it should be co-ordinated through the Taoiseach's office.
Fine Gael's Ulick Burke recalled that "we were taught poetry and prose that has so little significance, and is of so little interest to so many people today".
He added: "They are turned off by it. Certainly, it is all important, but if we are serious about having a living Irish language that is used by the people we must change our ways, be imaginative and brave and turn our backs on the people who will literally castigate us, turn it round and misrepresent the interests of so many people out there who could do so much for us".
Dev's grandson said he had argued for 20 years that there should be two Irish language courses in schools.
For those who do not have a strong background in the Irish language, there would be a course that would basically teach them the language. Those who spoke Irish at home, or who had developed a good grasp of the language, would have the choice of a second course involving the study of Irish literature.
Mr Ó Cuív was in a poetic mode.
"I have always felt that the rational way of approaching this in respect of most students is to teach the language as a vernacular. Those who then want to go on to study the literature, which is fantastic, should be allowed to do so.
"I still have a great grá for poems I learned such as An Bonnán Buí, which is a great satire.
"Lines such as 'S gur chosúil liom féin é i nós 's i ndath' are very clever and subtle, referring to the poet's name Cathal Buí Mac Giolla Ghunna.
"However, one must understand the language. If one has a great knowledge and understanding of the language it is great fun, but if one is struggling it is painful."
Mr Ó Cuív looked like his grandfather. He spoke with a similar accent.
It could have been Dev answering opposition questions all those years ago.