Micheál Martin was serenaded with Elvis Presley tributes during his final Dáil session as Taoiseach on Tuesday.
However, the Fianna Fáil leader was quickly brought back down to earth as he was told he is more like Daniel O’Donnell than the Blue Suede Shoes crooner.
Mr Martin and Tánaiste Leo Varadkar will swap roles on Saturday as part of the historic coalition agreement between Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Green Party.
The Taoiseach will travel to Brussels on Wednesday, meaning that Tuesday was his last day in the Dáil chamber.
There were giddy final day of school vibes in the chamber as Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald kicked off the tributes.
“Before I put my question to the Taoiseach [...] I wish him and his the very best for the future, whatever that might bring,” she said.
The Taoiseach thanked Ms McDonald for her contribution, joking that he thought she was going to break into song.
“I thank the Deputy for her initial comments and her ‘this is it’ approach,” he said.
“I thought there was an Elvis Presley moment coming on me there, like in his song ‘I Miss You’ or whatever.”
The Taoiseach’s comments set the trend for the afternoon, as he was hit with a number of Elvis references.
“The Taoiseach may wish to indicate at this point in what role he will be returning to the Dáil in the new year,” Labour leader Ivana Bacik said.
“Suspicious minds - Members can see what I did there - are suggesting that it will be in a new role as Minister for Foreign Affairs but the Taoiseach may wish to confirm or deny that on the floor of the Chamber.
“Elvis has left the building now.”
However, the most damning blow of the day came from Independent Wexford TD Verona Murphy.
“The Taoiseach is no Elvis,” she told the Dáil.
“He might be more Daniel O'Donnell."
Speculation continues to surround Saturday’s reshuffle and which ministry the Taoiseach will take when he becomes Tánaiste.
The Irish Mirror understands that Mr Martin has not told the Tánaiste or Green Party leader Eamon Ryan what portfolio he intends to take.
A number of ministers told the Mirror that they have not heard if they will be keeping their roles beyond Saturday,
One minister said that it is “maddening” but that no one expects to hear about the future until Saturday afternoon.
Health Minister Stephen Donnelly also said that he was unsure of his future, but stated that he would like to keep his job.
“That’s a matter entirely for the Taoiseach,” he said.
“My suspicion is I will hear [on Saturday] about 20 minutes before [the media] will.”
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