Fine Gael photocall - Gimmick was bad idea

Pat Rabbitte, the communications minister, has never been backward about coming up with an appropriate soundbite.

He saved the Government from considerable embarrassment with his warning that Fine Gael’s plans to celebrate a year in office with a photocall were “silly” and inappropriate.

It was planned that Fine Gael TDs and senators would hold up coloured stars detailing their achievements in government. School beginners are often awarded a star on the forehead as encouragement, but these Fine Gael stars would have amounted to an inane self-promotional stunt. “Everybody is far too busy and focused on their work to be celebrating anything,” Health Minister James Reilly declared.