Sackur only had the first question to each situation - he did not have 2nd/3rd questions prepared so as to follow up. Consequently, MoL had no trouble batting all this away as he had all 'his' answers ready. He used the standard tactic of talking over the questions to repeat 'his' answer. He also got in lots of promotion for FR.
The questions about the Eire/Norther Ireland Border were easily dealt with and MoL was laid back throughout, did not even have to break into a brisk walk.
As I have said before, I do not like the way MoL does business but he is brilliant at what he does.