THERE WAS a most undignified, horsetrading quality to what we were allowed to see of the choice of the first European Council president and EU “foreign minister” on Thursday. It did the EU no credit. As usual at summits such decisions had to satisfy a host of constituencies: the big political families, the Christian Democrats/EPP and the socialists; the large-state, small-state divide; the gender balance; and then the “anyone-but-Tony-Blair” camp, and, apparently, the eastern “that former communist D’Alema is not acceptable” camp.

The recession means plenty of good-value holidays are on offer if you’re planning a honeymoon. But an uncertain future means we’re less keen to commit to luxury getaways before we have to.ALANNA GALLAGHERgets some tips from travel agents andFIONA McCANNtakes a ‘minimoon’ closer to home

Built 14 years ago, there’s great flow to the space in this five-bedroom house on three-quarters of an acre, priced at €2.25m, writesROSE DOYLE

LENDING TO most sectors of the economy remains in decline, with loans to the construction and manufacturing sectors falling the most in the third quarter of the year, according to new figures from the Central Bank.

Ireland 41 Fiji 6:Ireland remained unbeaten after the second match of their autumn series when they beat Fiji in the first international to be staged in Leinster’s ground in the RDS. On a squalling night in Dublin, Ireland ran in five tries in a one-sided contest.

NEXT SATURDAY MORNING, a week from today, the former taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, is due to launch his autobiography in the Waterstone’s bookshop in the Quays Shopping Centre, Newry. Fortunately for Ahern, Irene from Darndale did her shopping in the Quays last Wednesday. “It’s a shame he’s not here today,” she says. “I’d knock the head off him.” writesANN MARIE HOURIHANE

PROSPECTS:Opportunities are no longer knocking for our best and brightest. So how are they coping with current economic woes in addition to the completely normal uncertainties of being twentysomething?

INTERVIEW:IF YOU’RE GOING to be stuck with the same face for 350 years then it might as well be the one attached to Peter Facinelli. The American actor, now an unblemished 35, has worked hard over the past decade and a half. He was in the action seriesFastlane. He had decent roles in the movieScorpion Kingand the much-lovedSix Feet Under. But, right now, he is indelibly, irrevocably associated with the jaw-droppingly successfulTwilightfranchise. A year ago, the first film adaption of Stephenie Meyer’s vampire saga emerged and, to the surprise of perplexed adults unaware of the books’ enormous cult following, chewed the world’s box-offices into bloody pulp.