There is no truth in the rumour that the Tanaiste, Mary Harney, broke her arm while wrestling with the Minister for Finance, Charlie McCreevy over the Budget. She broke it in a fall. After the Minister's statement on Wednesday and when the extent of the PD influence was known, she was heard to remark that she was prepared to give her right arm for tax cuts.
Meanwhile, she is re-learning how to write with her left hand, a practice forced out of her at school. Whether her signatures will be judged as valid in the future, or whether there might be more dosh for the legal eagles, remains to be seen. Charlie, meanwhile, is a shadow of his former self, thanks to no booze and a diet which for him means no lamb, no processed foods, no sauces and plenty of fruit.