Mary Harney alias `torneashte'

Government titles as Gaeilge continue to confuse outsiders who find that the pronunciation can be difficult to master.

However, at last week's official opening of the Lufthansa/United Airlines call centre in Dublin, the scriptwriter inserted a helpful note for Mr Dieter Heinen, senior vice-president of Lufthansa.

The Tanaiste is "pronounced TORNEASHTE", the note stated. That advice might not stand the test of all analysis but it was sufficient for Mr Heinen. The Americans got out of the quandary neatly enough, referring to Ms Harney as Deputy Prime Minister.