Another Cushnahan coup

Fine Gael MEP John Cushnahan has long been a source of wonder to his colleagues, as his office in Strasbourg is liberally decorated with images of him with all sorts of VIPs. What entrees has he got, that they haven't? Many suggest that Madame Tussauds has a case to answer. He just smiles. Now, however, Cushnahan has confounded his detractors. He is one of the few Irish politicians going to the Bush inauguration today, with a "top class invite", says a source, to the week's celebrations. No minister is attending and we will all be represented by Ambassador Sean O hUiginn.