The Moriarty tribunal (finally) delivered; Mary Harney made way for destiny's child Michael McDowell; the 90th anniversary of 1916 was commemorated; Fianna Fail made a strong comeback in the opinion polls and Aer Lingus was floated on the stock market. All in all, plenty of scope for this column's annual awards ceremony. . .

The 'Is that a knife in your leather scabbard or are you just pleased to see me' award: Winner: Enda 'Kenya' Kenny for his account of being mugged by two people, high on drugs, with a knife. While nobody doubts it was a genuinely terrifying experience for the FG leader, the political impact of the story was somewhat diluted when it later emerged that the incident had happened in Kenya, 12 years ago.

The Foot in Mouth Award: Joint winners:

Mary O'Rourke, Michael McDowell, FG and Bertie Ahern. O'Rourke's tribute to her team after winning a constituency selection convention . . . "they were there for me and they worked like blacks" . . . was definitely not intended to be offensive, but it was certainly unfortunate. McDowell, who generally enjoyed a good year, went way over the top in likening Richard Bruton to Goebbels. Meanwhile, a "posting error" saw FG's candidates for Mayo . . .

including the leader . . . popping up on a billboard 150 miles away in Kilkenny. And the Taoiseach? Where do we start with his malapropisms? He said he would never "condemn" wrongdoing. He referred to dyslexia as "dilexia". And he talked about a "quid per quo"and "relevations". Just a thought, does he do it on purpose?

The Thin Skins award. Winner: The country's top judges. Given they're supposed to be utterly unswayed by what mere mortals say, their decision to boycott McDowell's drinks reception at King's Inns, following the minister's comments about judges, is somewhat baffling.

The Best Dail Performer award.Winner:

Joe Higgins. Particularly for that now legendary speech at the height of Bertiegate and the mock letter he said Bertie Ahern might have sent: "Ah Jaysus lads, you'll have me in huge trouble if you don't take back the 50,000. My circumstances are improved and I'll have 50 reporters traipsing after me for the rest of my life if this comes out. Bertie." Higgins continued:

"It was as simple as that. Perhaps he might have said: 'PS, Tell Paddy the plasterer to steer clear of Callely's house. He is in enough trouble with the painter already.'" Pure genius.

The Funniest Dail Moment award. Winner:

Pat Rabbitte, for his story about the dog in Cork who licks the TV screen whenever Seamus Brennan appears, but barks furiously when McDowell pops up.

The Poisoned Chalice award. Winner:

Brian Lenihan. Pure Bertie this one; the Taoiseach takes all the plaudits for announcing his intention to hold a referendum to strengthen children's rights and then hands the whole thing over to the Minister for Children to sort out the complex and contentious details. Still if anyone can do it, 'Brains' Lenihan is the man.

The Political Hyperbole award.Winner:

Those politicians who described the decision to sell the Great Southern Hotel chain as "shameful" and "a disaster" for the tourism industry. Get a grip, lads.

The Comeback Kid award.Winner: Mary Wallace. Dropped as a junior minister in 2002, 'Wednesday Wallace', as she allegedly became known by some FF colleagues, was shock choice to fill the vacancy left by Ivor Callely.

The Quote of the Year award. Winner:

Martin Cullen, for his unintentionally hilarious "I don't know Madonna" line on Questions & Answers. Nobody ever suggested you did, Martin.

The 'Courage Beyond the Call of Duty' award. Winner: John O'Mahony, who next year will be trying to take a third seat in Mayo for Fine Gael and win the Sam Maguire with the county footballers. To attempt one is hard enough but if he achieves both, he is superhuman.

The Courage of His Convictions award.

Winner: Graham Geraghty, for his "why not?" responses on Morning Ireland to questions about why he was entering politics, and why he had chosen Fine Gael.

The Politician of the Year award.Winner:

As awarded by Kevin Rafter above, it has to be Bertie Ahern, living proof of the old adage of what doesn't kill you, makes you stronger. Others who deserve a mention are: Michael McDowell for becoming Tanaiste; Noel Dempsey for standing firm over drift net fishing; Dick Roche for beginning the long overdue process of reforming the electoral register and Eamon Gilmore for his work in the same area; Pat Rabbitte and Joe Higgins for their on-going excellence in the Dail;

Richard Bruton, FG's star performer; and finally, Jim Glennon, Gay Mitchell, Tony Dempsey and the other TDs who made the difficult decision not to stand next time.

And finally, The Lifetime Achievement award. Winner: The Moriarty tribunal. . .

well, it did almost take them a lifetime to deliver that report.