THE Leinster Society of Chartered Accountants must have been trying to retain some of the festive spirit at its lunch with junior minister Hugh Coveney in Jurys Hotel this week, as the decorated Christmas trees were still in place.

Penelope Kenny, the society's chairwoman graciously introduced Mr Coveney as a "junior Minister at the Department of Finance which will be presenting its 1997 Budget next Wednesday".

Minister Coveney, in his wide-ranging speech, wisely pointed out that "the Budget which will be presented will not be that of the Department but that of the Minister - they are two very different matters".