Mary Harney's trade mission to China this week got off to a bad start with the story of the missing luggage. But Air France has already been generous in compensation. They gave the Tanaiste a complimentary washbag to keep her going. As well as the usual toiletries, it contained an intriguing little black package. Inside was one condom.
Later, decked out in a new silk jacket, courtesy of the Embassy tailor, Mr Gu, there was a security alert when she went to the Forbidden City. While she was being ushered through by the ultra security-conscious Chinese there was a shout across the square, "Howya Mary", or words to that effect. Ambassador Declan Connolly went to investigate and ended up inviting Kevin Cooney, a video editor from Dublin, and Mark O'Toole, a New York-based theatre producer from Bray, to a reception for the Tanaiste in the Irish embassy that very evening.
And the luggage came 24 hours later.