Despite frustration with Bertie Ahern's Government over its intervention in the new homes market, the Irish Home Builders Association is relying on Celia Larkin to bring a little fun into the lives of the builders' wives and girlfriends. The Taoiseach's partner will be one of the star attractions at the association's annual conference in Killarney on the weekend of May 17th/20th, when she promises to bring "a new dimension to the art of looking and feeling well-dressed".

Given the runaway nature of the new homes market of recent years, money should not be a problem if she suggests that it is merely a matter of buying the right clothes. At a different session, the delegates' wives will be invited to try out a new style of aromatherapy massage without having to take off any clothes at all.

In between the fun and games, the builders will have time to reflect on the prospects for the new homes market when they are addressed by Dan McLoughlin, chief economist with the Bank of Ireland Group.