THE recent visit of Ecofin ministers to Dublin reminded the Margin of the informal meeting early in the presidency. Visiting dignitaries had drinks in Kitty O'Shea's pub in the company of locals from Grand Canal Street. One Dub spied an imposing gentleman of severe mien. "Are you part of this European circus?" asked the Dub.
"I suppose I am," said the gentleman of severe mien.
"What do you actually do?" the Dub asked
"Er, I'm the president of the Bundesbank," replied the gentleman of severe mien.
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The Dub absorbed this information for a second or two and announced: "Actually, I'm a painter myself".
Ken Clarke was so impressed with the whole experience that he took John Major back.