‘Turn it up there,’ said Tess.

The reporter’s sing-song voice filled the car. ‘“Shocked and stunned,” is how one cabinet member described himself following the confirmation that his colleague Tom Crossan had resigned. Deputy Crossan first broke the news to independent colleagues in a series of early-morning phone calls. He later met the taoiseach. I understand he gave no specific reason for the decision, which has rocked the government and thrown plans for a cabinet reshuffle into disarray. I have been assured, however, that his resignation is not health-related.

‘The Clare TD’s move is all the more surprising given that he’d been widely tipped for a move to the Department of Justice. Plans for the reshuffle have been put on hold. This has annoyed many here in Leinster House, with sources saying that some in government are livid. One senior source claimed the independent politician could rule out any future participation in government. “If he came crawling back, nobody would touch him,” the source said. “He’s just poisoned his career.”’

‘Poor Tom,’ said Tess, managing to brush aside what she knew about the reason for his resignation. ‘It wouldn’t kill them to point out that he was good at his job. They’ll miss him. The rest of them are useless.’

‘Shush,’ said Conor.

‘Given the shaky nature of the government’s majority, questions have also been raised about the administration’s future. It’s understand the outgoing minister has informed colleagues that he will stay on the back-benches for now and that he will support the government from there. This has yet to be confirmed, however, and observers aren’t ruling out a snap election.’

The bulletin continued with news about a possible bus strike and a kidnapped greyhound. After a brief diversion for sport, the current affairs programme returned to Tom’s resignation. Breathless correspondents, deep-voiced analysts and minor-league politicians speculated about the possible reasons. They spoke, too, about the febrile atmosphere in the Dáil. ‘No one wants an election,’ they said. Plainly this was a lie for each one sounded more excited than the last. You could practically hear the saliva dripping from their chops.