Chewing the Fat (and the Garlic) with Brian Lenihan

Oh to be David McWilliams’s publisher! The publicity he has generated with the extracts from his new book, carried in the weekend newspapers, will have it flying off the shelves. As they say down the country, “He has a great welcome for himself.” Or alternatively: If  you don’t blow your own trumpet, nobody else will blow it for you.”

Chewing garlic ensures they stand well back! (Photograph by Bryan O’Brien)

Finance Minister Brian Lenihan says that, far from seeking out McWilliams for advice on the banking crisis, it was in fact D.McW. who was after him, looking for an oul’ special adviser’s position, doncha know.

The only thing that is independently verified is that the Minister does, in fact, chew garlic. Can’t be much fun for his colleagues at Ecofin meetings.

However, as an author myself on  a couple of occasions, I can only take my hat off to David for his brilliant publicity campaign, although Willie O’Dea got a great  jab in at him with his comment that the relationship between David McWilliams and David McWilliams would be a lifelong love affair.