`For the first time ever I am really thrilled that events have overtaken us." So said Tony McNamara, publisher of the Administration Yearbook and Diary 2000, at the launch of the 34th edition in Dublin on Monday. The Minister for Education in Northern Ireland is listed as one John McFall, whereas we all know it's Martin McGuinness. McNamara was very happy that this and other Northern listings have been overtaken by events.
The Yearbook, with 6,000 organisations represented, and said to be the largest listings book after the telephone directory, is revised and updated each year and normally there is great angst about changes that occur after it goes to press. This year, how ever, there was nothing but delight and good wishes for a much larger Northern section from now on. 10,700 of the 2000 edition have been printed and half are already sold.
The IPA's director general, John Gallagher spoke about the continuing building work at the institute's Lansdowne Road headquarters and said that it was a public sector rarity in that the contract was coming in on time and on budget.
He ended by reminding guests of top bureaucrat Sir John Hunt's definition of a perfect civil servant - "someone who has a reasonable objection to any proposed solution". He hoped our home-grown variety would take note.
Another essential reference work published this week has ended up being inaccurate on the North. The Irish Media Contacts Directory, compiled by former RTE man - now consultant - Mike Burns, gives information on all key personnel in the media and the institutions of State North and South. But he's happy about the errors too, under the circumstances.