MEANWHILE, THERE was a strong Green contingent at Wednesday’s launch of Mary Minihan’s inside look at the party’s tumultuous time in government.

A Deal with the Devil was launched by Pat Cox in Hodges Figgis bookshop on Dawson Street. Afterwards, ex-party advisers repaired to Kehoe’s pub and swapped war stories from the presidential campaign. Ryan Meade, a former adviser to John Gormley, worked with Mary Davis; John Downing, former assistant government press officer, worked with Gay Mitchell; and former Green Party general secretary Donal Geoghegan came close with Seán Gallagher.

Most former deputies attended, including party leader Eamon Ryan, Ciaran Cuffe and Mary White. Dan Boyle was on jury duty . . . at the Cork Film Festival!

Minister for the Environment big Phil Hogan turned up, looking splendid in black tie. (He was on his way to another event.) There were no fisticuffs, despite Phil’s efforts to reverse Green policies.