Bertie, a part-time republican?

Yesterday Taoiseach Bertie Ahern met with Sinn Fein’s Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness to discuss the current state of progress in meeting the November 24th deadline for agreement on the restoration of devolved Government in Northern Ireland.

The visit included a photo opportunity in the Taoiseach’s office, with a black and white portrait of Padraic Pearse hanging on the wall behind the Taoiseach’s desk.

However, on RTE News last night, the camera angle revealed a small framed landscape painting resting against the wall, directly behind the Taoiseach’s swivel chair. The implication was obvious - the Pearse portrait was a temporary installation for the benefit of the cameras and, perhaps, the Sinn Fein delegation. The landscape would be back in place after the meeting.

There’s not much you could teach Bertie about spin!

Footnote: Published as a letter in the Irish Independent.