Champagne Charlie seals visit with a kiss

KISSING women of a certain age, and donning Bono-like sunglasses, Champagne Charlie McCreevy was at his man-of-the-people best in Carlow yesterday.

The finance minister admitted he felt very "blessed among women" as he cantered through the streets of Carlow yesterday morning, joined by the town's six Fianna Fáil local election candidates four of whom are women.

"In Kildare County Council we also have seven or eight women candidates out of 18 or 19. Carlow and Kildare are definitely leading the way in my party. The number of women on our ticket is greater than ever in my life in politics.