Pinstripe Presidency hits purple patch

Blue might be the official colour for the EU Presidency, but pink, purple and stripes seem to be the order of the day so far for the politicians.

Even the Irish press corps turned up in pinstriped suits for the Taoiseach's presentation of his programme to the Parliament in Strasbourg.

Everyone from political advisers to the Taoiseach appear to have invested in new clothes for the six months at the helm of the EU. It prompted some employed by the European Commission to wonder if there was a special "Irish Presidency issue" in pinstriped suits.