In a book of 294 pages he, a major political figure, was only mentioned six times. He wanted a bigger role in the sequel, said the Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, who was launching Mary Robinson: The Authorised Biography by Olivia O'Leary and Helen Burke, in the National Museum in Kildare Street on Thursday.
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights herself was abroad on UN business but her husband Nick Robinson was present, as was her former adviser Bride Rosney, who is now back in Dublin and seeking a new job. The Taoiseach reported that it was said of Bride that if you had her at your side you were sure to keep out of trouble. Guests at the launch included former taoisigh Garret FitzGerald and Albert Reynolds, who was just back from Florida; Labour leader Ruairi Quinn; Harry Whelehan SC; Deputies Des O'Malley, Frances Fitzgerald and Conor Lenihan; Senators Mary Henry and David Norris, Joan Burton and Eithne FitzGerald; Archbishop Walton Empey; Miriam Hederman O'Brien; and Pat Wallace.
Martin Nield, of publishers Hodder and Stoughton, said he was launching a new imprint called Lir that would publish the best of Irish fiction and non-fiction. The Taoiseach was full of compliments for the book, its authors and its subject. In the past, he said, when he was bringing in reforming legislation in the Seanad he always thought he would be thanked - until Mary arrived and challenged him and then you knew how much more you needed to do. Yet she had been very supportive of him in the Social Partnership days, he said.