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Sorting through the rubble
Read more about: Fianna Fail, Green Party, Oireachtas, Scandal 
There will be days of digesting the implications of the Willie O’Dea resignation. Here’s a few impressions of where we are; doubtless others have their own.
Most disquieting sight: Brian Lenihan not just sitting in on the accelerated confidence debate but getting stuck in to the argument with the legal niceties that were found so wanting once the Limerick Leader materials got widely disseminated. You’d have thought that if any minister might have other things to do, it would be him.
The bull still in the china shop: Dermot Ahern. When the Green TDs comment (anonymously) on the demeanour of the senior FFers during the debate being a factor in their doubts, Ahern must surely be near the top of list. The smirks and gestures never stopped during the debate and even today in Templemore he seems unrepentant about his partisanship. And this from the Minister whose portfolio straddles both ends of O’Dea’s slip-ups, from the initial incorrect tip about Maurice Quinlivan to the shenanigans in court over the affadavit and the possible breach of the Electoral Act. Note: the talking point about the FG focus on O’Dea being “despicable” seems to have come from him.
Two bad days on the job: Chief Whip Pat Carey. Failed both in giving the Taoiseach any sense of the mood of the Dail on Wednesday, and then couldn’t count his votes on Thursday.
Unintended consequences: Deirdre de Burca. Some were tempted to dismiss her resignation as that of an appointed Senator from a tiny party. But the words stung and formed the backdrop for the Greens feeling steamrolled yet again on Wednesday afternoon. For this party (given also the role of Dan Boyle), the Seanad tail has wagged the Dail dog.
Mystery Man: Has anyone seen Micheál Martin? Harder to spot lately than those Dubai agents with Irish passports.
How has Micheál Martin been a mystery man?
He was out front and centre defending the Government on Thursday night as news of Willie O’Dea’s resignation broke, both on the Nine O’Clock News and Prime Time afterwards.
Good point, but he was hard to see in the Dail. Which maybe is just as well. Even today he seems to staying above the fray while Dermot Ahern is getting the attention.
Disappointing about Brian Lenehan–is he just another whose first (and last) loyalty is to FF. No surprise in D Ahearn-those of us in LMFM land know that this is his form–low ,sneaky remarks, pandering to the lowest common denominator, nothing to offer as minister and always gets such favourable comment from the meeja. The clip of him sniggering across the floor may change that. Sympathy for Pat Carey, I don’t think it would be easy to advise B Cowan of anything.Will willie be charged with anything — eg slander in the course of a campaign, perverting the course of justice etc
The most extraordinary thing I find about the Wille O’dea resignation is that the opposition seem to have no interest in the truth for if they had they would be now pursueing Brian Cowan for blatanly casting aside any sense of honesty and respect for the people in his defence of Willie O’Dea.
betty,
Is Brian Lenihan just a FF man.
Considering the way that party’s leader siphoned money from his dad’s sick fund etc, then yes he seems to value Fianna Fail too greatly.
Veronica – Cowen is a loyalty man, It would be hard to see him just tuft out the old crew abd fankly does he have the power to dictate to his cabinet opponents who will be the new ministers.