A coalition collation is what they were calling the refreshments served when the Taoiseach Bertie Ahern opened the constituency offices of Senator Camillus Glynn in Mullingar, on Thursday. The FF worthies, led by Mary O'Rourke and the senator's son Ken Glynn, a local election candidate next month, were served tea and sandwiches by Garvan and Mairead McGinley. Last year Garvan stood down as the general organiser of the PDs to run the Newbury Hotel across the road from the FF office.
Another cross-party event occurs on Friday when the Taoiseach opens the headquarters of the Western Development Commission, also the old home of former FG leader James Dillon, his father, John Dillon MP, and his grandfather, Young Irelander John Blake Dillon, in Ballaghaderreen, Co Roscommon. Naturally, FG leader John Bruton will attend.