The Health Service Executive was unable to present evidence to support O'Malley's claim, which was made during a Prime Time programme focusing on the harrowing cases where families face inordinate delays in getting basic rights as citizens . . . assessment and treatment for vulnerable children.

O'Malley then followed his Prime Time appearance with a bluster-filled performance on Morning Ireland. The best he could offer was to "validate" the waiting lists. The Taoiseach then defended O'Malley. "Jumping on what he stated in an interview as against what he did for the past number of years is unfair, " Bertie Ahern said.

But is it unfair? O'Malley is Minister of State at the Department of Health with special responsibility for mental health. He's had four-and-a-half years in this position. He is well paid with an annual salary of 140,000, before allowances and expenses. He should be on top of his brief. The Prime Time interview was not live. The minister knew the subject under investigation.

He had time to prepare. But maybe, just maybe, bluster was the best form of distraction from the facts.

In the aftermath of the programme, the government spewed out facts and figures to support its case that service provision for children with psychiatric problems has improved. But these facts were undermined by the damning evidence presented on television and told by the parents and children involved. "The challenge to all of us is to get our act together, " O'Malley brazenly stated on Morning Ireland. This from a man who has had fourand-a-half years to get his act together.

The fact that O'Malley is still in his job this weekend says much about Irish political life. What does it take for a politician to have to resign in Ireland? And as for the opposition. . . Where is the motion of no confidence in the PD minister? No matter that the government parties have the numbers to defeat such a motion. Put them through the hoops in defending the indefensible. The past week has been another case of bad politics on both sides of the house.