Political Parties

The political party ‘parties’ may be thin on the ground this year because of the economy – but there is certainly a huge amount of Christmas cheer around Leinster House.

In keeping with tradition, the giant Christmas tree was put up in the lobby of Leinster House at the start of this week and surrounded by red and white poinsettias.

And if that wasn’t enough, there was another giant tree put up in the general cafeteria of the House to bring a bit of Christmas cheer to the weary workers who ply their trade in the corridors of power.

And on the subject of Christmas, at the time of going to print – the only Christmas party on the agenda is the Fine Gael do.

Cutbacks and clawbacks are the order of the day among the different government departments.

The largesse shown in recent years has well and truly been put to bed.

And Taoiseach Brian Cowen is starting at the top – the traditional Christmas lunch for the Political Correspondents at Farmleigh has been cancelled!

I guess a mince pie and a cup of cocoa will just have to do this year!