Taoiseach’s sorry statement really takes the biscuit

OMINOUSLY, a faint smell of gas wafted near the entrance to the Merrion Hotel as Brian Cowen arrived.

This could have proved dangerous, for although the Taoiseach was not exactly on fire, he certainly had enough unexpected spark about him to cause a combustion.

After weeks of looking like a downbeat defendant in the dock of public opinion, Mr Cowen had decided to come out fighting.