The 1999 edition of the extremely useful and much-read Administration Yearbook and Diary from the Institute of Public Administration is about to hit our shelves. Those with an advance copy have noticed one unheralded benefit of the Northern Ireland peace agreement. A photo of the secretary general of the Department of Justice appears for the first time in many, many years.
For many a long age the secretary generals of all government departments, and other worthies of Irish life, have had their handsome pics adorning the glossy pages - but never before Justice. The general secrecy that pervades the department and security considerations for the individual concerned prevented the picture appearing. Now all has changed. For those who want to see him, the 1999 edition carries a photo of Tim Dalton.