The political correspondents of the national media this week joined the select few who have been entertained at Farmleigh, the sumptuous former Guinness mansion in the Phoenix Park now owned by the Government and primarily used to accommodate visiting dignitaries. The 30 or so journos - minus partners as is the norm - were there as guests of Taoiseach Bertie Ahern who entertains them each Christmas to try to maintain working relations. On arrival at the Park on Wednesday night, they were given a guided tour and then sat down at four tables to a lavish meal which comprised beef or chicken for main course, Chablis and Cabernet wines and all the trimmings. The Taoiseach moved from table to table and chatted amicably about the Nice Treaty, his trip to Laeken this weekend and the coming abortion referendum, which he seemed to insist will go ahead.
The doyen of the pol corrs, the Independent's Chris Glennon, thanked the Taoiseach on behalf of the guests and warned his colleagues not to breathe a word of the event. There should be no leaks he said. Ahern didn't reply formally but left that to the Government press secretary, Joe Lennon, who said his boss would love to be in a position to have them back there again next year.
After dinner, the party adjourned to a drawing room for brandy and cigars, or, in some cases, pints of Guinness and Bass. It was after midnight when the Taoiseach left for the FF staff Christmas party in Leinster House.