Politicians are not known for avoiding the cameras, so there was much surprise in the Institute of Chartered Accountants when one of their own dodged the snapper and refused to be photographed with their delegation at his office last week. Was it that the Minister for Finance, Charlie McCreevy, was anxious to stop any perception that he could be influenced by his former colleagues at this vital time, the run-up to the Budget? No. It was simply that he has banned photographs of all pre-Budget meetings because they were taking up too much time.
The chairman of the delegation, Jack Crowley, pointed out that, like McCreevy, he had constituents too and the photo of his group lobbying the minister would have been circulated to show how hard they were all working. It was to no avail. With several supplicant groups being ushered in and out each day, photos with the minister are not part of the deal.