Congratulations to Bernard Durkan, Fine Gael TD for Kildare North, who celebrated 35 years in politics on Thursday night.

The Taoiseach was guest of honour at a bash organised by the local constituency organisation in the Hamlet Court Hotel in Johnstownbridge.

We don’t know how long Bernard’s speech lasted, but with any luck, the guests may just have had time to get in a drink before last orders.