Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

One never knows, stranger things have happened.

I saw a comedian winning an overall majority in Italy. One never knows.

If one is a Minister, regardless of party, and one does an interview, there are half a dozen guys lined up somewhere in the undergrowth to phone in as interested citizens, but one learns after a time that they are not as unconnected and disinterested as one might think. In fact, I remember many years ago that it was announced I would be appearing on a radio programme, hosted by Marian Finucane, along with two colleagues from the House. I forgot about it and when I rang up to apologise, I got a very frosty reception. However, when matters thawed out I was told that there had been three telephone calls complaining about things I said on the programme.