Garry, I am seething at just having witnessed (one of) our junior minister's blatherings on your YouTube clip. I live on the Loop Head peninsula, in my fifties and with children. Along with many others hereabouts I am very fearful for the scenario if any of the population is involved in either a land or sea-based accident when an ambulance will have to travel here in an emergency (approximately 1 hour) and travel to Limerick (proposed centre of excellence) to an A&E centre which is, at best, overstretched and a worst a complete disaster. This is what we face here should the Ennis Hospital downgrading happen as is envisaged. This scenario is further exacerbated by your astute observations about the success of the Nenagh protestations.

I know it's unrelated but earlier on Today FM I heard our Tánaiste re-iterate her statement that the proposed €3000 raise for those Teachta Dála's with 7 years (long!!) service is their ENTITLEMENT! On what fucking (oops) planet do these people live? I have just broken the news to my long serving staff (between 5 and 10 years) that their ENTITLEMENT in the very near future for their valued work is social welfare benefit.