NEED A LIFT, HEATHER?
TOP DOG
INSIDE the impressive Combilift factory in Monaghan yesterday, the Taoiseach and some of the Fine Gael hierarchy were given a guided tour as they kicked off their General Election campaign.
A slight moment of hesitation by the Taoiseach, when he approached the first forklift, meant local minister Heather Humphreys darted into the driver’s seat for the photo-op.
The Taoiseach wasn’t going to be caught cold twice. As the Fine Gael top brass approached the second piece of machinery minutes later, Tánaiste Simon Coveney approached and signalled his intent to climb on board for his photo-call.
Before he could climb the step into the cabin, Leo burst out from the media scrum and hoisted himself on to the industrial throne. Simon had to settle for looking on as Leo soaked up the glow of the photographers’ flashing cameras. Simon’s day in the big chair would have to wait. Again.
DOUBLE TROUBLE
FIANNA Fáil leader Micheál Martin fumbled into his party’s general election campaign yesterday - after he almost congratulated the wrong politician on giving birth to twins. The misstep came at the start of the party’s first press conference. The Fianna Fáil leader almost congratulated deputy leader Dara Calleary on giving birth to twins, who was standing to his left at the time. Martin quickly corrected himself and instead congratulated Fianna Fáil Senator Catherine
Ardagh who was standing to his right. ‘First of all, I am delighted to be here with Dara and Catherine and I want to congratulate Dara on. . . or Catherine, sorry, and her husband Darragh on the arrival on her twins, Sean and Darragh, who I suppose have gone through their own baptism of fire. Suffice to say, we were all keeping a watching brief on the situation and we are delighted for you, Catherine and your husband, Darragh, and we hope something filters into the DNA in terms of the electoral experience that awaits them.’
POSTING IT IN
AS VOTERS prepare to be hounded by canvassers in the coming weeks, one Twitter user came up with a crafty way to ensure he gave them a good grilling – he posted a list of 39 points covering key election issues, right next to his door.