THERE is some, er, envy elsewhere in the public service at the little presidency bonuses paid to senior civil servants in Foreign Affairs in Dublin and Brussels. Around 100 of the higher ranks of first secretaries and third secretaries - who do not qualify for overtime - received between £2,100 and £2,600 for overseeing a presidency which the Financial Times, no less, declared was the best since Belgium in 1993 - apparently, a particularly fine vintage.

Some begrudgers in other Departments have been heard to mumble that they did just as much to ensure the success of the presidency as their colleagues in Foreign Affairs.

They should read the FT, which said that the presidency was based on "a handful of talented people and sober diplomacy". The Irish were "lapping up all round praise" after the crowning success" of the Dublin summit, according to the pink's man in Brussels. So there.