Parnell and Kitty are as good as it gets at last Cabinet meeting

“WELCOME to my holiday home,” beamed Brian Cowen — framed as he was by an 18th century mansion — when somebody suggested that he was about to skive away for the rest of the summer.

The minister certainly was dressed up for the holliers. The Offaly deputy had replaced his sober suit for a blazer and a light pair of casual slacks. All he was missing was a bucket and spade, and a form guide for the Galway Races.

It was the annual away match for the team of 15 ministers. Most of them seemed weary — but relieved — after a particularly hard season. Their top-of-the-league form of the past five years had deserted them of late.