There are aspects of Fine Gael’s 85-page policy document on public sector reform that will be welcomed, but when it comes to the specifics some of the proposals seem particularly woolly and the title of the overall programme – Reinventing Government – smacks of a sound bite that is hauntingly reminiscent of Fine Gael’s controversial Celtic Snail in November 2000.

HOW is it that Bertie Ahern manages to thrive on bad news? Last weekend’s flooding on the east coast brought misery to residents and frustration to commuters, but the Taoiseach, yet again, was a net gainer.