The only highlights are in Bertie's hair as Taoiseach is singing dumb

Miriam Lord: Summer is over. It's down to the serious business again for Bertie.

Miriam Lord:Summer is over. It's down to the serious business again for Bertie.

He got stuck in immediately outside Dublin's Burlington Hotel yesterday, posing for photographs with a large curly-haired dog, two little girls in football gear, an assortment of Dublin GAA stars and Sunderland FC chairman Niall Quinn.

Back on the circuit, that relaxing month in deepest Kerry must seem a distant memory to the Taoiseach.

Apart from the curious remnants of a mishap on the hair tinting front - the strangest of holiday souvenirs for man's man Bertie to bring home - it felt like he had never been away.

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But clearly the boss is not fully up to speed yet with affairs of State since his return. Before he arrived to present grants from this year's Dublin Bus Community Support Programme, journalists were informed, "the Taoiseach will only be taking one question". Either that, or they were getting a sneak preview of the game plan for his appearance before the Mahon Tribunal next week.

"And now, turning to the dig-outs, Mr Ahern."

"Ah, sorry lads. I'm only answering the one question. Cheerio." He should be so lucky.

The Dublin Bus grant programme is open to charity and voluntary groups in the greater Dublin area, and is funded through money from unclaimed passenger change receipts. An independent panel assesses requests from various groups and issues grants ranging from €1,000 to €5,000.

More than 240 groups were successful this year, drawing from a fund in excess of €350,000. Recipients of the top amount included the Little Sisters of the Poor in Raheny, the Peter McVerry Trust, the Meningitis Trust in Bray, Teen-Line Ireland, the Post Polio Support Group, the Integrated Homework Club in Ballyfermot and the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind in Drumcondra.

Which brings us to Clint, a handsome flaxen-haired labrador/poodle cross, which is among the first intake of "golden-doodles" to join the Guide Dogs for the Blind on frontline duty.

"Just one question," repeated The Man from Government Buildings when Bertie arrived to face his first media "doorstep" since July. The Taoiseach saw the microphones and made straight for Clint, which is far too well behaved to start barking impertinent questions.

But as he hunkered down by the golden-doodle, it became all too apparent that Clint's coat was the same colour as the tightly-shorn hair on Bertie's temples.

Cue much sympathetic clucking from the ladies present, veterans of unexpected chemical reactions on the highlights front. Best not ask, although one has to wonder if the Taoiseach has been taking hairdressing tips from Pee Flynn.

After all, the precise terms of his deal with Beverley have never been revealed.

Eventually, having communed with Clint - like Enda Kenny, a natural blond - Silver Fox Bertie turned Goldilocks Ahern approached the microphones.

The one and only question addressed concerns about the downturn in the economy. Meat and drink to the Taoiseach.

"Eh, still growing at between 4 per cent and 5 per cent . . . not going to be a big surplus this year . . . tax revenues down but holding well in many areas . . . doing our best to keep within budget . . . but overall, the economy is doing well." Then he began the process known as "managing expectations".

Things mustn't be great if Bertie is talking things down already in advance of December.

"We were never going to have any big giveaways, haven't done that for a few years," he declared with a straight face. Pre-election promises don't count.

Two more questions sneaked in under the radar. What about Eamon Gilmore becoming leader of the Labour Party? "Deputy Gilmore has proven to be a very effective public representative and has made a significant contribution to the work of Dáil Éireann," said Bertie, adding his appointment was a very significant day in his long political career and a great honour for him, his family and supporters.

Then, from the enviable vantage of long-serving Taoiseach and Fianna Fáil leader, he explained where Eamon comes in the scheme of things: "From my point of view, it'll be the fourth Labour leader I've dealt with," sighed Bertie.

Then he muttered something about having to crack on with the job of running the country.

While the likes of Labour, one presumes, amuse themselves with internal tinkerings.

And what about the passing of Pat Rabbitte? Sorry, Luciano Pavarotti.

Goldilocks's eyes misted over with happy memories.

"Being a sports fan, I'll always remember Italia 19 (sic)," he began, recalling the heady days of Big Jack and Nessun Dorma. Ah yes, Pavarotti was a great man.

Nessun Dorma? Where Bertie's sleep patterns are concerned, that depends on how the tribunal pans out. One thing is for sure, he'll have a few more grey hairs by the end of next week, and they won't have to be artificially enhanced either.