Position as banking regulator suggested for turn-a-blind-eye referee

DÁIL SKETCH:WEXFORD TD and Fine Gael chief whip Paul Kehoe lost his Dáil seat yesterday.

A bad run of luck for the Irish in Paris on Wednesday night spread its destructive wings to Leinster House. Kehoe entered the Dáil chamber yesterday morning to take the whip’s traditional seat on the FG benches.

It collapsed, with Kehoe falling to the floor. He quickly recovered his dignity and moved to an adjacent seat. He will recover his whip’s seat next week following repair work by the Board of Works. Recovery should be the lot, too, of our fallen Parisian heroes, according to TDs.

There were Opposition calls for the intervention of Minister for Sport Martin Cullen and Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin, following the French theft of our World Cup hopes.

Fine Gael’s Alan Shatter demanded Europe-wide legislation requiring the use of video refereeing in major football competitions.

Tánaiste Mary Coughlan thought that the various sporting organisations could vigorously pursue the matter.

Labour leader Eamon Gilmore, echoing a post-election emotion sometimes felt by political parties, said that Ireland could be proud in defeat, even in circumstances where it was unfairly inflicted.

Conscious of events at AIB, he suggested a career change for referee Martin Hansson.

“It struck me that he might have a future as a banking regulator, turning the blind eye and deaf ear to complaints,” said Gilmore.

“He has many of the qualities we have seen in banking regulation in this country over a number of years.’’ Fine Gael’s Terence Flanagan remarked: “He would be paid the full salary.’’

Meanwhile, the Tánaiste revealed that there would be no Dáil motions on the adjournment, whereby the Opposition can raise topical matters with Ministers, on next Tuesday because of the public sector strike.

This prompted the Opposition charge that Ministers cannot function in the Dáil without scripts written by civil servants.

“Sir Humphrey is on strike,’’ observed Fine Gael’s Michael Creed. Gilmore noted that staff in Government departments, right up to and including principal officers, would be on strike.

It was well known that Ministers could not come into the House without the aid of a script, he said.

“Of course, we can,’’ said Micheál Martin. “I challenge Deputy Gilmore to a scriptless duel.’’ The verbal shoot-out could happen on Tuesday when the Sir Humphreys, who painstakingly labour on ministerial scripts and parliamentary replies, are on the picket line.