Ó Cuív speech drawn out but determinedly presidential

DÁIL SKETCH:ALTHOUGH IT was the beginning of holiday time, the livin' was not so easy in the Dáil yesterday.

There was a long day’s work before the House adjourned until Wednesday, September 14th, for the shortest summer recess in years.

On the Fianna Fáil benches, Éamon Ó Cuív, standing in for Micheál Martin, was a man with a mission.

Rather than confine himself to the customary end-of-term remarks, he arrived with a prepared script.

It had been customary, he said, for the Opposition parties to oppose the summer recess.

“I am not going to add to this fable today,’’ he added.

He hardly could, given that previous governments, of which he was a member, voted through much longer summer breaks.

Ó Cuív then embarked on a stream of consciousness, provoking a mixture of bewilderment and amusement on the part of his Dáil colleagues.

Other than a short break, he said, TDs had many other tasks to deal with during the summer break. That could involve research, working in the constituencies or reading important documents.

He recognised, he said, that those in Government would use the break to do much of the work that needed to be done in their departments.

“That’s very presidential,’’ said Fine Gael’s Simon Harris, knowing Ó Cuív’s interest in being the Fianna Fáil candidate in the October election.

Ó Cuív warmed to his theme.

“It is fair to record that many politicians work between 80 and 100 hours a week,’’ he added.

TDs had many roles, in their constituencies and as public representatives.

“Good man, Éamon,’’ said party colleague John Browne.

On the Government benches, Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore managed to retain a straight face, but it was clear that Minister for the Environment Phil Hogan was having trouble on that front.

There was no stopping Ó Cuív.

“It is fair to point out that many politicians, on both sides of the House, have specific briefs that require a considerable amount of work and research,’’ he said.

The patience of Ceann Comhairle Seán Barrett was clearly strained.

“Thank you,’’ he said. “I appreciate what Deputy Ó Cuív is saying, but I have given him sufficient time to say it.’’

Ó Cuív ploughed on.

“We have seen many changes in this Dáil,’’ he said, with considerable understatement.

He promised that Fianna Fáil TDs would continue to work as a robust opposition.

“Robotic,’’ sneered Fine Gael’s Michael Creed.

Ó Cuív said that despite its depleted numbers, Fianna Fáil would hold the Government to account.

“Democracy requires no less,’’ he declared.

Fine Gael’s Bernard Durkan said Ó Cuív’s pledge was reassuring.

“The deputy is a real patriot,’’ said Harris.

Sinn Féin’s Mary Lou McDonald observed that Ó Cuív’s contribution sounded like an ardfheis presidential speech.

As TDs packed their buckets and spades and headed off for a well-earned break, they should remember that there were people outside the House who worked harder, she added.

That brought matters back to reality.

The word is that Ó Cuív’s presidential ambitions remain.