Rome a calm island in sea of troubles for a beset Taoiseach

The Taoiseach really should have been given a hat in St Peter's Square yesterday. There, for all those hours, facing into a hot Roman sun. Maybe it was better than facing the wrath of Ned at home. In either case the result was the same, a red face.

"The Taoiseach will only discus today's events," repeated his charming press assistant. Like a mantra. Appropriate in the setting, which was the Irish College in Rome. A calm island in a sea of troubles for any beset Taoiseach. Or a See of troubles for any new cardinal?

Undaunted, our Taoiseach arrived at the college still starched into his morning suit, belying the adage that the apparel oft doth proclaim the man. Constrained by its formality he still bounded up the stairs to change, all bonhomie and vitamin C. Soon he was back in more familiar attire.

He was being the proud Dub in his speech at the end of the lunch held to honour Cardinal Connell, a role that comes easy to our true blue Taoiseach. "As a Dubliner, I am especially pleased that the Catholic Archbishop of the most wonderful city in the world should reach such a high and important position." This was greeted by laughter.

But he wasn't finished there. "Cardinal Connell is, to my knowledge, the only native Irishman, Dubliner, northside resident, constituent (that most sacred word in our Taoiseach's lexicon) and close neighbour to join the College (of Cardinals)."

The new cardinal was "a formidable debater and advocate", he said, remarking that as Cardinal Connell was from north Dublin this was not surprising, as "the area is known for its formidable debaters".

Ireland was privileged to have two cardinals now, he said. "And of course when we consider the appointments of Cardinals Murphy O'Connor (Westminster), Cardinal Egan (New York) and Cardinal McCarrick (Washington), I am immediately reminded of the rich contribution which Irish people have made over the years to the Catholic faith. I think it fair to say that the Irish connections in the College of Cardinals are very strong indeed these days."

Possibly caught up in the mood set by the Taoiseach, Cardinal Connell in his address let it be known he came from "no mean city" but added he had roots in each of the four ecclesiastical provinces. That, he remarked, reminded him of a certain (unnamed) politician.

And he warmly greeted the other three cardinals present. Cardinal Daly and he went back to 1944/45. Cardinal Winning of Scotland was "a member of the Irish diaspora" and "a very great friend of Ireland". As was Cardinal Cassidy from Australia, who was "a symbol of the very great influence of Ireland throughout the whole British empire".

Later the Taoiseach would not speak of the war. The other one, in which there's no Ned. Asked whether the inter-communion row was bad for the peace process, he said "all rows are bad for the peace process". He then proceeded to pour generous praise on the great efforts of church people to help the process. There's no black or white about Bertie, even when he is red all over.

The Taoiseach was not accompanied by his partner, Ms Celia Larkin, in the Vatican yesterday. The Government decided on the composition of the Government delegation, a spokesman said.