SMOKES & DAGGERS

A mischievous mix of political asides with JOHN DRENNAN

IT is rare for new and improved Sinn Féin to slip off the high moral ground. Twitter alas was somewhat ruthless in its references to Shergar when the party attempted to gain traction on the issue of Gordon Elliott...

SMOKES was impressed by the response of Michael McGrath, pictured, to Bernard Durkan’s query as to which departments, when it comes to public expenditure and reform, need to do better. The minister gave a gold star to every department. We were reminded of that old ministerial adage of not getting where you are today by speaking bravely about civil servants.

THE Department of Health has closed the front door of its Miesian Plaza offices. Now all visitors to the reception need to be identified before gaining entry. A little birdie tells Smokes this is a direct response to the furore that arose when uninvited journalists quite rightly protested a secret ‘invited journalists only’ press conference. Irish Daily Mail political correspondent Craig Hughes led the charge that day, and was aided greatly by RTÉ correspondent Fergal Bowers – who insisted all in, or RTÉ would remain out. Between this and the security fence at home, Minister Donnelly, pictured, is cultivating his bunker mentality perfectly.

SMOKES would like to thank the helpful FF TD who sent us party leader Micheál Martin’s observation when FF was at 14% in January 2011. Back then Martin said: ‘I have reluctantly concluded that in these circumstances FF should change its leader.’ In a commendable display of modesty our helpful TD was anxious to retain anonymity.