IT WILL have come as no surprise to unionists that the Progressive Democrats launched their election manifesto in a hotel in Fenian Street.
The venue was changed from a more neutral address at St Stephen's Green because the party needed a bigger room. But since their Fianna Fail influenced change of direction on talks with Sinn Fein last week, the PDs have been closer to the Republican Party (Bertie's one, that is) than at any time since the split.
The affection for their would be government partner was palpable yesterday. It would be unfair to suggest that the PDs' policies are sweet nothings, but there was little or nothing that Fianna Fail could find hard to swallow.
It is now only a question of whether the full consummation of the courtship can be held off for another two weeks: even the writers of Ballykissangel would struggle to keep this much chemistry in check.
Liz O'Donnell's all white outfit caught the nuptial mood of yesterday's occasion, while Michael McDowell - on his best behaviour throughout - tried hard to look like a pageboy. However, with Mary Harney delivering the address and then fielding almost all the questions, Liz and Michael were reduced to just sitting pretty (with different degrees of success) throughout the hour lone event.
It may not have been exactly theatrical, but this was a one woman show. The party leader began impressively by talking about the problems of two tier societies and finished just as strongly, fending off questions about the problems of two Mary governments.
Pressed on whether Bertie should declare his hand now on the Tanaiste issue, Ms Harney was not stuck for an answer. "One thing is certain: the next Tanaiste will not be a man from Kerry with a moustache," she quipped, ruling out Dick Spring and Senator Joe O'Toole in one fell swoop.
Proinsias De Rossa vies with Mr Spring for the role of the PDs' bete noire, but the DL leader has clearly had an influence on Mr McDowell. He (Mr McDowell, that is) finally got a chance to impress when the platform was asked why it had presented its policy on the first national language in the second national language.
Quick as a flash he apologised in Irish - in the style made famous by Mr De Rossa - and explained that copies as Gaeilge were, in fact, available.
