Shatter ties up loose ends with style

Nothing became Alan Shatter like the manner of his leaving. Yesterday, the former minister for justice tied up some loose ends following his departure from government two weeks ago.

In doing so, he displayed a mischievous streak that was at odds with the overweening hubris which informed the latter stages of his ministerial tenure. The lad must have had a little giggle to himself, as he led the media pack on a merry dance, and put the frighteners on his former colleagues, whose nerves were already frayed ahead of a predicted hammering in today’s elections.

The little matter of Shatter’s severance package had taken legs over the last few days. On Tuesday, it emerged that he was entitled to €70,000 because the order implementing legislation to discontinue such payments hadn’t been signed. Enda Kenny led a succession of ministers in declaring themselves assured that Alan would do the right thing. He couldn’t take the money and run? Not days out from an election? Not now, with the electorate seething at cutbacks? He couldn’t do that, could he?