A bruising election campaign is in full swing despite the consensus that polling day will not be until late February, probably Friday the 26th.

This was evident yesterday, the final sitting day of the year, as Labour and Sinn Féin tore strips off each other during Leaders' Questions.

High noon in the House again featured Tánaiste and Labour leader Joan Burton and Sinn Féin deputy leader Mary Lou McDonald playing leading roles. McDonald castigated the Coalition on the state of the health service.

“The Government promised to create a single-tier health service,’’ she said. “Five years on, the hope it gave to hundreds of thousands of families has been cruelly dashed.’’

Achievements

Burton insisted the health service and staff had considerable achievements to show, “particularly in the context of four or seven years ago when they were subject to the trials and difficulties of an economy crashed by

Fianna Fáil

through the bank guarantee and the collapse of the construction industry and resources tight’’.

Fianna Fáil TDs, perhaps wisely, decided to stay out of it.

McDonald accused Burton of giving a “truly amazing’’ answer, her contrived humour oozing a dark sarcasm.

“The achievements of the Government are 4,000 fewer nurses . . . bualadh bos,’’ said McDonald. “There are 68,000 people waiting for inpatient treatment . . . well done!’’

Condescending

Burton queried how McDonald would know anything about the issue, given party leader

Gerry Adams

“had to hop across to America for his private health treatment’’.

McDonald’s party colleague Pádraig Mac Lochlainn joined the fray. “The Tánaiste is an absolutely disgraceful cynic,’’ he said. “We are defending front-line staff.’’

As the exchanges intensified, Burton asked Leas- Cheann Comhairle Michael Kitt if he was able to keep the Opposition TDs under control. “I am not really,’’ said Kitt.

"Get on to the army council to keep them under control,'' said Labour Minister of State Kevin Humphreys.

McDonald produced Sinn Féin’s policy document on health, urging Burton to make it part of her Christmas reading. When Fine Gael’s Dinny McGinley suggested it was a work of fiction, Mac Lochlainn said costings could be debated any time.

“The Tánaiste has not read it,’’ Mac Lochlainn said.

Burton suggested Mac Lochlainn’s behaviour underlined the need for more women in the Dáil.

“Is the Tánaiste serious ?’’ asked the Sinn Féin TD.

“A bar-room brawler . . . you are a disgrace,” Burton replied

There were the standard Christmas good wishes before TDs went home. When they return, all-out political war will be the norm from then until the last vote is cast on polling day.