Estimates sketch: They just couldn't resist a spot of pre-election cleverality. When Mr Cowen presented his summary of the Government's spending Estimates yesterday, Fianna Fáil's latest slogan was up in lights on the screen behind him.
Such a coincidence that the politically neutral Department of Finance should hit upon the same feel-good phrase as Fianna Fáil's pre-election pledge.
"A fairer, stronger Ireland" was the theme of the party's recent ardfheis. It was built into ministerial speeches, echoed by candidates, and tastefully etched on the Taoiseach's podium when he delivered his televised keynote speech.
Building a fairer, stronger Ireland: that's the focus groups' favourite punchline. Now get out there and spread the message.
So there it was on Estimates Day, blinking out brazenly from behind a baleful-looking Biffo. Just as the spin meisters imagined it.
"Don't be cocky, Brian. Downplay the generosity. For God's sake, don't do anything to upset the punters. While they're working out that the extra dosh is Fianna Fáil money, our slogan will be seeping into their little brains. Genius."
The Minister for Finance may have said he was presenting the Government's pre-budget Estimates, but the words behind him begged to differ. These were the Fianna Fáil estimates for 2007.
Given the sneaky use of the new FF slogan, and the dour, low-key manner with which Brian Cowen delivered the glad tidings, this was Biffo's Subliminal Splurge.
No cutbacks or sneaky increases. No pain, more gain. More nurses, teachers, gardaí. A four billion euro increase in spending. And the promise of tax and social welfare goodies to come next month in the Budget. Steady as she goes.
Even though Biffo hadn't any bad news to break, introducing the sort of painless package that would make any finance minister happy, he announced his Estimates in funereal tones. His deadbeat manner had the desired effect on his audience of journalists in Government Buildings, as they struggled to stay awake during his speech.
There was also a very strong scent of lavender in the conference room, its soothing fragrance adding to the soporific mood.
Graphs were flashed on the screens to liven things up. They showed things like the general government debt as a percentage of GDP. The economic correspondents leaned forward, like they were getting a sneak preview of the new Bond movie. The rest of us snored.
The Minister was joined at the top table by Mr Jim O'Brien, who was billed as a second secretary in the Department of Finance. If he isn't an accountant, he should be, because he looks like one.
He sat beside his Boss, on full alert, ready to jump in with mathematical or statistical assistance. And if Jim couldn't help, there were more than a dozen of his colleagues on standby in the room with files of figures at their fingertips.
Just the one little blip when Biffo got confused over public service salaries, but apart from that, the occasion was so thrilling we almost woke up.
Bring back the days when the publication of the Estimates was a brief affair, with only one big question and everyone understood it. After a decent interval, the most senior correspondent would rise and ask gravely: "What about the Old Reliables?"
The minister would throw out some coy hints, and then, for the next few weeks, speculation ran riot over how much tax would go on the pint and the fags.
But nobody smokes anymore. And we don't care how much we pay for drink. The nearest thing to a frisson yesterday came when stamp duty was mentioned. Apart from that, it was all happy economics.
Sealed with the stamp of a Fianna Fáil election slogan. Clever.
