A welcome forced through gritted teeth

WHEN Donald Trump last visited Ireland, our Minister for Finance Michael Noonan abjected himself and stood waiting, like an anxious branch manager awaiting an inspection from head office, on airport red carpet ready to greet The Donald.

Mr Noonan had company. The happy event was enlivened by a group of musicians and dancers straight out of the Darby O’Gill school of drama and buffoonery.

It was not Mr Noonan’s finest hour, even if he manfully defended the indignity by saying he would welcome any investor who offered the prospect of creating jobs in this economy.