Grunt

The year was 1965, the month July.

I was showing a French girl round the town and was at a bit of a loss for where to bring her, me not being a tourist myself. After Nelson's Pillar I decided on the Dáil. It was our national parliament, after all, and would be sure to impress.

We ended up in the visitors gallery just as the Taoiseach, Seán Lemass, was on the receiving end of a blast from the chamber's prime orator of the day, James Dillon TD, former leader of Fine Gael, the main opposition party.

Mr. Dillon: I said I expect nothing from a pig but a grunt.

I was mortified. This was not quite the impressive dignified debate I had expected.

And to add to my mortification, the French girl asks "What did he say?"

I think I mumbled something about him not agreeing with the Taoiseach, and there and then swore never to bring anyone near the place ever again.

Dillon had been leader of Fine Gael up to the general election on 7 April 1965. In fact I had been at his last big rally outside the GPO two days before the election. That must have been where I formed my exalted opinion of his fine oratory and no doubt it had influenced me into putting the Dáil on my itinerary.

And in case you think I'm spoofing, that's me and my friend Tom in the detail above.

God be with the days.

Tánaistits

I have long thought that Mary Coughlan has made positive use of her gender to get her way. Her macho comments as Minister for Agriculture, for example, attracted notice only because they came from a woman.

Her reaction to Charlie Flanagan's remarks in the Dáil the other day left her Freudian slip showing bright:

The Tánaiste: The company law (consolidation and reform) Bill, if anybody is interested, is huge legislation. There is ongoing work.

Deputy Charles Flanagan: It is too big for the Minister.

The Tánaiste: If the Deputy wishes to throw a condescending, sexist [my highlighting] remark across the House, that is fine. It is very much the calibre of Deputy Flanagan but I would expect more from him after all these years in the House.

A female opposition Deputy instantly took issue with the Tánaiste;

Deputy Olivia Mitchell: Where was it sexist?

A man criticising the professional performance of a woman is now sexist?

Game, set and match.