Be careful how you work the media because it may just work you back

AT first glance, IBEC and the St Vincent de Paul Society (SVP) don’t seem to have that much in common. IBEC is for wealth creation.

SVP rescue the victims of wealth creation. But the two organisations achieved amazing unanimity over Fine Gael's post-Budget party political broadcast. They were like two joyriders fighting for possession of a Lada.

It all started when Fine Gael went out into the highways and hedges to get speakers for their Árd Fhéis. At a Fine Gael conference, candidates get to hide their light under a bushel or a Begg, because Fine Gael brings in a bunch of external worthies to take up the party's TV time.