GOING through his post just before departing for the Dublin Castle luncheon which launched Partnership 2000, Ruairi Quinn came upon a ballot paper. It was from his trade union, SIPTU. He was asked to vote "yes" or "no" on the new programme. The Margin is not offering any prizes for guessing how the Minister cast his vote but it can report the lunch was a merry affair.

Everyone who mattered, and many who didn't, availed of the Government's largess. The Partnership programme received an uncritical welcome from the assembly, some of whom were so impressed by the contents of the deal that, in the later stages of the afternoon, they welcomed their forthcoming pay rises in song. The Margin is gratified to live in such amicable add prosperous times.