SMOKES & DAGGERS

A mischievous mix of (mostly) news

ON St Valentine’s Day, Fianna Fáil’s Dara Calleary joked that the opposition had sent a Valentine’s card to the Government. ‘Unfortunately, we gave it to the Minister for Health so it might be a few months before they get it but I am sure they will eventually get it,’ he said. A good joke… but remarkably similar to one Jeremy Corbyn had made two days earlier, addressing Theresa May in the House of Commons. ‘I usually thank the prime minister for sending me her statements ahead of time, but since I only received her statement as I was leaving my office, I can only assume the transport secretary was entrusted with delivering it.’ LEO VARADKAR was posing for photos at the sod-turning for Dublin Airport’s second runway. The snappers asked him to throw some dirt up in the air. Leo launched a shovelful at them. ‘I don’t know my own strength,’ he laughed awkwardly as they dusted themselves down. Or does he? FINE Gael senator Tim Lombard launched a Valentine’s campaign to get us to put down our phones and talk to each other. He did it with a video of him on a date with a person in a phone costume. He was caught later the same day on his own

phone in the Senate chamber. FIANNA Fáil’s selection convention for the Dublin EU constituency will be held today. Up for selection is Conor Lenihan, Mary Hanafin, Barry Andrews and Tiernan Brady, left. Brady is one of Leo’s besties, having been backstage at Kylie and at the exclusive 40th birthday party. That will hardly help him with FF grassroots.