Mary stays sweet without high-flying chocs

MARY HARNEY doesn’t particularly like chocolate and it’s not because she’s given up the sweet stuff for Lent.

Her Cabinet colleagues may have scoffed €1,264 worth of exclusive chocolates on board the Government jet last year but yesterday the Tánaiste's officials made it clear she played no part in the gluttony.

In fact, Ms Harney took umbrage at the assertion that Moy Chocolates, the brand stocked on board the Gulfstream IV, were her favourites and wanted it made clear that she doesn't even eat chocolate.

But the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment did admit that Moy were the choice of the Government at her behest.

Ms Harney recommended Moy Chocolates, which are made by people with disabilities, because she was impressed with the set-up of the sweet-making operation after officially opening the plant in Ballina, Co Mayo in 1997.

Ms Harney has apparently requested that Moy Chocolates be used in as many Government capacities as possible.

Doubtless the first choice chocolates of the Fianna Fáil jet-setters would be Lir Chocolates, as the firm is owned by popular FF Senator Mary White affectionately monikered 'Máire Bán Milseáin' by her parliamentary party colleagues.

But it is also believed that Áras an Uachtaráin stocks the individual serving of two chocolates in a presentation box with the Moy Chocolates logo on top.

So Moy can pitch themselves as the official chocolate of the Irish Government in their marketing campaigns, but can't claim responsibility for keeping Ms Harney saccharine sweet.

The total bill for catering on board the Government jet, including exclusive chocolates, champagne and the finest wines known to humanity, came to €100,000 last year.