We can little afford this luxury class

Albert Reynolds’s state funeral was a fitting honour for a great man notable for his honesty, integrity and ability.

The TV coverage of the funeral and ceremonies, however, gave us a crucial insight into the vast divide between the political class, the insiders and churchmen, all bedecked in their expensive finery, and the rest of Irish society, struggling to make ends meet.

A high proportion of the attending politicians, ex-presidents, ministers, and civil servants are retired on vast pensions, and clearly looked suitably unfussed and comforted by that status.