All aboard: Ahern, Brennan get ticket to ride

TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern and Transport Minister Seamus Brennan abandoned their State Mercs yesterday in favour of public transport.

However, the switch was less designed as a concessionary gesture towards angry bus drivers rather than their desire to fulfil a commitment to attend a pre-arranged photocall. In the climate of threats of a nationwide bus strike over Mr Brennan’s plans to privatise part of Dublin’s bus services, the two politicians could be forgiven for cursing the timing of such an event.

But Mr Ahern and Mr Brennan put on brave faces, knowing the crowd of assembled journalists were quietly delighting in the irony of the situation.