They were economical with only one thing - the truth

THE Minister for Finance, Restitution and Straitened Circumstances, Charlie McCreevy, and his outgoing Cabinet colleagues, did what any prudent publican would do when moving to new premises — give away free drink and whisper sweet nothings in our ears.

What did we expect truth, justice and the house swept clean for seven other devils worse than themselves ?

OK. So they played Santa Claus from time to time, but they were generous possibly even profligate and the only thing they were economical with was the truth.