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FIANNA Fail's Donie Cassidy recently berated the media for its coverage of Seanad Eireann. So with the political summer holidays out of the way, I've taken up his challenge by paying more interest to the workings of the Upper House. And indeed, Cassidy is correct that there are nuggets of wisdom in Seanad exchanges. Take last Tuesday when Independent Joe O'Toole mused, not for the first time, on the plight of Irish mutton. He explained that mutton is derived from 12- to 18-month old lambs which have been raised on grass.
"I have been trying for some time to figure out what has happened to mutton. It represents a traditional flavour of Ireland and was the basic ingredient for Irish stew. At a time when slow-cooking is a fast-expanding area of cuisine, it is time that mutton be made available again in Ireland, " O'Toole proclaimed, before adding:
"Recently in the UK, mutton has had a champion, namely the Prince of Wales, who has accepted the job of patron of the mutton renaissance campaign." On hearing the latter revelation, David Norris, another university senator, stirred into life. "Let us hear it for the Prince of Wales, " Norris interjected.
Undeterred, O'Toole continued admirably with his mutton campaign.
"Those who were reared during a particular age will be familiar with the gamey flavour, taste and smell of mutton, which is part of Irish life. I would like the minister of state with responsibility for food, Deputy Sargent, to come to the house to offer senators his views on this matter."
The proposal to test Trevor Sargent's mutton knowledge provided Norris with the final comment:
"We should bring him in and let the dead sheep savage him." Just like the Seanad itself, methinks.
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YOU ARE HERE: 11 November 2007 / tribune.ie / 2007 / 10 / 07
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