Tentative Taoiseach escapes from the Lisbon lions' den unscathed
Galway West deputies Frank Fahey (left), Fianna Fail, and Fine Gael's Padraic McCormack outside Leinster House yesterday. There was an air of anxiety as Taoiseach Brian Cowen returned to the Dail for the first time since the Lisbon Treaty was rejected. TOM BURKE
Wednesday June 18 2008
Brian Cowen must have been wondering what sort of reception awaited him as he took his seat for the first session of Taoiseach's Questions since the Lisbon Treaty was given a thorough kicking by a disgruntled electorate.
Would he be set upon by roaring pro-Lisbon Lions on the opposition benches? Would Sinn Fein's Caoimhghin O Caolain -- radiating the magnanimity of the victorious -- cross the chamber floor and offer his condolences for Brian's loss?
But it turned out that nobody in the Dail had the stomach for either open celebration or overt confrontation. The mood on both sides of the House was sombre and there was an air of anxiety about the place, as both main opposition leaders fretted over the future consequences of the 'No' vote.
"How do you see it panning out?" wondered Eamon, while Enda was harbouring horrible visions of Ireland puttering along in the slow lane of prosperity.
"We do not want to end up with a two-speed Europe, where some countries go off in front and others are left behind," worried the Fine Gael leader.
"From that perspective, the Taoiseach has a serious problem. Will he not suspend the business of the House today so we may discuss this matter?"
"Hear, hear," chipped in Leo Varadkar.
But Brian wasn't in the mood. He wanted to stress to his fellow deputies that there was every reason to be afraid of the unfolding Nightmare on Kildare Street.
"There is no immediate quick-fix solution available. There is a serious political and legal situation that must be examined and discussed." he emphasised.
But O Caolain couldn't refrain from a brief lap of honour when it came to his turn. "I would like to commend not only those who had the conviction and courage to say 'No' last Thursday, but also all those who participated," he began before being pulled up short by the Ceann Comhairle.
"You've been involved in negotiations yourself, or your party has?" he sniped to O Caolain.
"I am sure the deputy is aware of the way negotiations work on the political scene. In talks on Northern Ireland we did not end up with a united Ireland, but with the Good Friday agreement and we all have to live with it. It is not ideal but it is the balance we have found," he explained, attempting to keep the peace.
However, feelings were running high. After Leader's Questions, Varadkar was first up to call for an adjournment of the Dail to debate the 'No' vote.
But the Ceann Comhairle ruled that the matter didn't warrant an adjournment.
Leo the Lisbon Lion was outraged. "It's an absolute disgrace," he shouted, looking for a door to slam on his way out. Naughty Leo the Lion -- Enda won't give him his pocket money if he doesn't watch out.
- Lise Hand
