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Have the radio on with the cows in the shed. Every time movie chick goes mmm... The cows moo back!  Cavan man.
I was sitting down at the Spanish arch in Galway about 2 years ago when we saw a man in the water who looked like he was drowning.  I dived into the cold fast moving water without thinking only to find out that he was trying to kill himself.  We got him out and I had some explaining to do when I showed up at my friends house in a cop car soaking wet.  Roisin in Galway
"Whip me" said the masochist. "NO!" said the sadist. Mark.  Cork
As a former Nurse manager in Tallaght. The Management system in The Hospital is dreadful. The Medical Director has 2 answer quest also. This hosp has lost gud Nurses nd Consultants have left because of the shanbles of a Hosp. Angela Co Kildare
Is there actually any part of the Public Service which is Fit for Purpose, which is not dysfunctional?
Harney not taking responsibility is a common thread with this government. Batt o'keffe is doing exact same thing with NCSE regarding SNA cuts. Robert limerick
Another public employees union temper tantrum trying to prove Ireland is as bad a home for foreign investment as Greece. When will the government shut down there bullies and their gangs.
Wonder has that priest ever been in a supermarket the night before Good Friday? Boozy trolley central.
It is widely accepted that reform of public sector had to happen..the prob is it didnt happen fairly.
I am tired of been told how lucky i am to have a job i am a nurse with a masters who worked hard to get where i am i funded myself and had my friends from the private sector laugh at me when i was working long days nights and bank holidays for the past 20 years.
Unions destroy the country - Kevin
O my god George, how refreshing a woman speaker not feeling hard done by fair play to her . John
Face facts; "A woman's place is in the cave, barefoot & pregnant & chained to the cooking pot" - Paddy Joe
George- two women arguing on international womens day. Q e d i think!
Good on niamh kavanagh. She is sounding and looking fantastic. Good for her. Sean, Wexford
Here's the thing if you mention panela anderson you are a bigot but if you mention mary robinson you are to be commended! Brian in lucan
Had Niamh Kavanagh been better managed/advised or lived abroad, she'd have been a jazz singer of the calibre of Ella Fitz or Cleo Laine. . . . from Gman in Kilkenny
What business would the DDDA have in New York or Helsinki? John in Dublin
Were facing the financial equivalent of the great famine whats happened to the youth
Sean, i work in sales, and i visited one of my customers today. I asked how things are going and he said 'very well, but don't tell anyone!  People don't like to hear that this weather'. How backward are we? Woodsie
EVERYONE knows the HSE is a failure, an Irish failure. Beating up the new british guy that is trying to fix it does not move things on at all.
Why are the garda not called in to investigate these crimes, if a child died at your home would you be allowed to do nothing and call no one ? What is the difference between home and HSE !
Claire, what exactly did the ministers get for the country , after their last few Paddy's day junkets? Nothing! Perhaps Dell jobs ?
I think, by way of solidarity, all workers in the country shd hang topless calendars on the walls of their places of work 2day! Anne
I'm certainly no fan of developers but why should they be forced to allow a pre agreed price to be dropped? What do u think would happen if they tried to charge more if values went up???
This is ridiculous, George. Giving babies a choice as to circumscision? I was done when I was born, over thirty years ago. It's proven to be more hygienic and safer re acquisition of infection. It was always seen as good practice by lots of doctors and it definitely is. D.
Circumcision is done for hygienic reasons and also in many traditional african cultures its an initiation into manhood. Its perfectly ok
I was circumcised at age 22, it is a lot more hygenic but an absolute nightmare of an experience and traumatic
SMACKING / I tried time out with my 3yr old son - his reaction was to deliberatly pee on every surface.  After a few times I had to try alternative.  Susie
George this is a joke, alcohol causes more adverse effects then any other drug, we need to get real, better kids getting controled substances from a shop then murderous drug dealers. Stephen s tallaght
I'm an ex drug taker. I had a bad reaction to a head shop product. I haven't been right since. These products a used supplementary - in conjunction to street drug. And wont reduce illegal drug taking. Pat in Galway.
I got a "take away " menu in the door, the head shop will deliver the drugs to your home when you ring them for a small price, as a guard told me legalised drug dealing to your door.  Dominick
Why not make it strictly over 21s only allowed into head shops....If they serve under age close em down...adult choice! Paddy in Galway
I am so sorry Sean for the decrease in beer consumption - its all my fault.  I put on a wild pile of weight and I had to lose it before the wedding so the missus to be put me on the Weight Watchers plan and I don't have enough points for the beer.  It won't be for long though so tillage farmers don't lose hope.  I'll be back.  John Joe Jack Pete.
Can you ask Keith or David is it possible to hypnotise a 5 year old to stop grinding his teeth at night and a 2 yr old to eat a more varied diet than dairy, toast and cookies?  Kevin in Kill
HEAD SHOP / Could you advise people listening, who insist on taking these harmful drugs from the head shops, to keep the packaging from them on their body. My friend collapsed and nearly died because the doctors had no idea what she had taken to put her in this condition. Dermot.
They are telling us if we all dont take out pensions it will put pressure on public finances but what about the ridiculous pension system for the public sector and even more ridiculous multiple pension system the incompetent government give themselves, i think these pensions are the ones putting the pressure on the finances provided by the paye taxpayer
Ivan. I'm sick of pension companies. I put 60k into my pension between 04 and 08. It's now worth 45k. It should be worth nearly 100k by now. Michael smith
Pensions are a waste of money. As Ivan may know, the odds of dying b4 65 are 8/13. Im puttin any extra off my mortgage. My target is to clear it by 46. Then i can think about pensions and have 2k pm spare from having no mortgage. Trying to pay both simultaneously wud be suicide. Rob.
What about mothers who work at home minding their own kids with no income- how are they supposed to pay into a pension?
Why should I be forced to contribute to a pension that is likely to lose value? its just giving the banks more of my money. They can get stuffed.
Public sector workers have had to make compulsory pension payments for years. It's about time all people have to make similar compulsory payments.
George. Most people have turned their back on the church. Yet we still have to endure this good friday bullshit, although, it's huge busness for the off licence trade!
George. It looks like rugby is doing what the penal laws failed to do! We have really lost the run of ourselves now. Pat Lawlor. Killarney
Delighted that newstalk ìs analysing domestic violence as it is on increase with the recession and there is v little analysis of it in the media.anne
I have to cycle up the quays several times a week and it is a very dangerous area. There is no reality to narrowing the lanes - there's no room as there is. Arthur
I've had a deposit on a new house since last july. I have had my mortgage approved. However, the builders bank will not play ball with the builder&release money for the house to be finished, until that happens i cannot draw down my mortgage. Where's the banks liquidity&stimulus? Julie
Increase in pensions no surprise there as the national pension reserve fund will be drained dry to fund the zombie banks so beloved by the politicans, it is ruling by fooling on a gargantuan scale John Larkin
Rather than take 5% out of our wages it would be a lot better give a tax break or subsidy to couples who have more than 3 children-if we had a baby boom we wud have more consumers,we wud eventually fill all the vacant houses & they wud all be working by 2050 to balance pension deficit! Joe from Tipp.
Ive always reckoned they should put road markings in the over takeing lane like they have in bus lanes,its incredible how dosile many drivers are and how simple road markings work, commen sense is a rare thing,from the rule makers right down to the road users. Jack,santry.
My bro, drives his van, fone to d ear, eats a brekie roll, paper upon steering wheel, rolls ciggy wit other hand + chats 2 passenger, thank god it aint foggy. Sum man 4 one man. D
There is no link up between all three education levels in ireland and the only links to industry are dangerous as industry requires instant turn around and third level has a min three year turn around. System should create good vanilla grads who know how to learn who can then specialise . Nicola dublin
People come out with degrees and cannot speak two words together without ..'you know'..or stutter and it seems to be only the irish. Americans can speak clearly and have a great flow of words as do the english.Education how are you. Attention should be paid to expressing clearly and freely and none of your bad english like in ireland. No wonder things are in such a mess when we cannot speak clearly how can we think clearly. Ireland cop on. Joe
If you want to sort out the problem, give more points for honours maths. It won't happen because there's a pretence that all subjects are equally difficult. Alice Turner.
The Leaving Cert syllabus is much easier than it was when I did it 15 years ago. Ridiculously so, in my opinion, especially in the sciences. I know because I give grinds to LC students, and you're right! They have NO cop on!
Have been waiting for this issue re: high grades to arise. Totally agree that standards have slipped. College lecturers are under huge pressure from the college boards to award high grades to ensure college ranks highly and retains funding. THIS IS A FACT. Rachel
A man is a sex 'addict' when he gets caught offside.
George, what's a wild animal doing in a tank? It's no wonder it killed someone. They belong in the wild. Release it from its prison. C'mon this is 3rd person to die. Are they that stupid. Sam in Clare
Hey guess what? If that whale hadnt been imprisoned and abused its entire life those people would be alive today. That doesnt take a genius to work out.
George feck the tea party. Lets have a Guy Fawkes party. Blow all the muppets up and start again ! Michael H, Ringsend, Dublin
I take cinamon in porridge most mornings and have found that it decreases sugar cravings. It's also has relaxing properties,great before bed.
Is Eamon Ryan the only green in government? He sounds like it he says he is doing this and that and all on his own the rest of them should help him he needs help by the sound of him - BERNADETTE
If "victims" who were "forced" to over pay for property are to receive a bailout, do I get a (partial?) refund of all the rent I've paid out while waiting for prices to fall? (Prices kept high by idiots - sorry victims - who were prepared to pay stupid money.) If no refund of rent for me and others like me, why not?
B&Bs need to improve their standards stayed in a b&b in Wexford before and the rooms were a discrace for 70 euro a night, hotels provide a clean room and a decent breakfast, no sympathy rob Dublin
B and B's charging anymore than 50 euros is disgraceful. All it is is a change of sheets and a breakfast that costs the propietor about 3 euros to produce! 20 euros would still generate a profit!!
Eamon ryan is a nice guy & very able politician but we don't need green issues /agendas at the moment, we need business minded politicians to get us out of this mess. Martin from D2
"my nama" is only a way of artifically keeping up the value of property. + encouraging people to go out & spend i.e. Consumerism is totally anti " green" - chris
Ivan can u ask the minister about mortgages that were given to people who clearly couldn't afford to repay. Where the banks tweeked the criteria to make the paper work look ok. If this was proven would the mortgage holder have to repay it. Donal
My nephew love's the Kings of Leon, song Sex on Fire, he sings it 'my socks are on fire' Mark Westmeath
I was worried when I heard my 3yr old singing Spice Girls 'If You Wanna Be My Lover' only to hear her sing 'if you want to be my ladder' instead. Eunice, Dublin
Too old for Jaegger Bombs Sean??  I don't think so! Recently at my 30th birthday party I had my 70 year old mother drinking them. The grumpy farmer in tipp
A paper is like a renewable best friend: you buy it, stick it in your back pocket, carry it under your arm, stuff it into your bag. You read it when you stick your feet up, when you're on the bus or train. You handle it like an accordian player and it suits your body posture. Dog eared and crumpled you bring it home after work and it's still fit to tell you what's on the box. It's your best friend. And tomorrow there is a brand new one. Long live the paper! Martin
I'd like to commend Fr Kenny. I'm from Kilconly and I can tell you there is no room at the weekend mass. And weekday mass there's more & more going everyday.
We've had A La Carte catholicism for years - now its the continental breakfast! - Gary Leonard ( Tipp)
If that's what the church has come to, I am glad I left 23 years ago. Mass is not about rushing through it to get it over with. People should be honest and just not go if the only reasons they go is to get it out of the way. Pathetic. Regina. Carrick.
Michael O'Leary is a big child who's throwing his toys out of his pram when we all don't kiss his behind. Eddie
The spin machine is in full swing. Soon they will tell us that the recession is  O learys fault. Give him the hangar. It will take 3 years to build one. Neil, Wicklow.
Myself and my friends wont go to any Tom Cruise movie. If he is popular and gets a new movie role then more money goes indirectly to Scientology. Down with this cult.
Thanks for featuring that allergy doctor today sean. Both my sons have peanut allergies and it is a constant worry. We carry adrenaline for the eldest at all times. It is good to know there is hope out there.
I just passed a shop in Dundalk and in the window was a sign that read ...  Ears pierced while you wait!  Des
Hi, the greens are like a broken old record , they sold out all green policies from the very start . Maybe they should watch the dog whisper to learn how to handle FF . Dave in newbridge
Fianna Fail coalition partners are like those cloths you add to the coloured wash. It mops up the stains and then you throw it away. Alice Turner
Why didnt Willy and Trevor resign their dail seats. If a TD comes under scrutiny in the future for similar things what happens? Nothing? Im a prison officer and if I did what either of them did I would not be demoted, I would be fired!
Claire, let's not forget, Trevor Sergeant resigned promptly ONCE HE WAS CAUGHT!
Trevor Seargent for the Park. The theme is 'honesty'. It's a characteristic that is rare in Irish politics. Dermot
Eamonn Ryan is a decent man and one of the few shining lights of this horrendous government. For the sake of the country, I plead with him and his fellow Greens to now follow Sergeant's dignified and honorable example and pull the plug on this dreadful and shambolic government. Tom, D14
George, I am a lecturer in AIT and was told by a first year student that they could not do their course project because their internet connection was down. Mike in Athlone
Surely, if the actions of representatives are enough to resign as ministers, they should also resign as TDs. JohnM, Limerick.
Enough is enough. Greens are totally discredited and should withdraw from Government. Election now.
A lot of women don't have children now because they don't have to or don't want to, not like the past in Ireland when you were practically forced into it.
Having a child is a very difficult thing which changes your life massively so I'm not at all suprised with the research findings.
Ivan if the schools have to close due to this directive then no teacher should be paid for those particular days. Please tell the ASTI that productivity is required
What is the problem with the teachers? I was on a skiing holiday last week during mid term and half the people on the plane were teachers! The thing is as I work in the private sector I don't know if I'll be able to go next year whereas the teachers know they will be able to!
We must meet these society terrorists head on, internment is a real option. Had it been done last year after the murder of another innocent, this man might be alive this morning.
George re: president, there is only one man for the job, Bertie. He's a statesman who is respected throughout the world, and brought lasting peace to our island. Stephen kearon. Ballinaclash. Wicklow
George , people would do well to remember that the present resident of our whitehouse was not democraticaly elected . So why bother with an election this time around ? Gerry. Dublin 6
George - the office of State presidency should be abolished : we, the taxpayer and the unemployed , cannot afford such a useless luxury . John Dublin  22 .
would be shamed if as a country we elected bertie ahern to the office of president. Any faith I have in the people of this country would be gone forever - as would I
I would vote for Sen. Norris. I would emigrate before voting for Bertie. Owen. Dublin 13
What great news - I've always thought David Norris should run for president! Compassionate, passionate, eloquent & witty with a wealth of experience. I would vote for him, as would many other people. Tania, Dublin 12
Minister Lenihan, my pay has been demolished . I have 1200 a month mortgage . Is there any chance of a break for people like me. I cant even put heat in my home this month .
Ivan, come on admit it, Minister Lenihan is a legend, I know I would like him fighting my corner in court!
Sounds like the Green ministers are hanging on for the few months they need to qualify for their minister's pensions.
Another pie in the sky FG proposal + this is meant to be our alternative govt . Thanks ivan for showing up this silly proposal which has no figures to substantìate it.
Does fine gael think we are fools. They think they can reduce spending and increase output. If these are the alternative government we are screwed.
Do you think that in 20 years time we'll all be sitting around asking each other 'do you remember where you were when Tiger made his famous statment? Gerard
George how can Tiger have so much control of his game and not his love life. Illness my arse. Brendan
Totally agree with you George on the non-existence of rules of the road applying to pedestrians and cyclists. Have done the emergency stop myself as cyclist crossed junction on a red light and into the bargan gave me the fingers! I thought I'd killed him but he swirved around the front of the car as I was only able to stop 1/4 way across the junction! Noticed in the last couple of weeks 30kph has made pedestrian lights and rules of the road to pedestrians and cyclist more redundant as they dart between slow moving cars
George, lay off Kay Burley...she's hot! Have a thicker skin. We dont need more hysteria about religion. John, a Catholic, in Limerick.
Surely you're allowed say the word 'willy' on the radio- i mean small children say it every day. It's not a swear word is it?? I'd put it in the same category as 'bum' and 'wee wee'. It's political correctness gone mad!
That's two days in a row that Henry's said balls! He's really beginning to live on the edge. Alan, Laois
If Tiger says hes returning to golf i will be having a few euro on him winning all 4 majors this year. It is after all the chinese year of the tiger ! Jack the mad.
I agree with that texter who hates Jane Austins books. My Mr Darcey would be Johnny Vegas. Sean, Wexford
I read the book and its full of great zombie fighting hints such as planting cauliflower in your garden.  Cauliflower looks so similar to human brains so it keeps the zombies busy while you make your escape.Brian in Newbridge.
Is Sean off today because of the bank off with Tom Dunne? Has Tom Dunne taken him out?  I thought Sean could take him in a fight.  Tom comes across as too nice where as I think Sean could be a secret ninja.  Deirdre
When have bus fares gone down? Or tv licences? Or any state run services? James. Dublin
Hi George, is it possible for the Greens to garner favour with the public by bringing down this government..?? Eoin in Meath..
George, South Park is actually a very intelligent show. It deals wit current issues and in general promotes good morals. I have seen every single episode and the storylines are not only witty but apt. John, Cork
Irelands minimum wage is in line with the costs of goods and services. Robinson should realise that! Things in the UK are cheaper. Robinson should live on the minimum wage and see how he likes it! From angry Rob in Galway.
What happened to all the jobs voting yes for Lisbon would bring? No wonder we have the politicians we have, the Irish are generally stupid. Enda in Galway
Willie O'D for President!  Old school politics baby!
When I worked in Thornton’s restaurants we used to get the rabbits in with the heads attached, they came from France all rabbits have to have the head attached to prove they are not cats.
Sean the problem in ireland is that a lot of people will simple vote for a party no matter who is the TD. That way no matter who runs as long as the run for the party they get elected. You could run a dog in some constituencys and they would vote them in. Alan in Mullingar
Henry saying balls has made my day. How often i've wanted to say it myself in public but havn't had the you know whats. He's an inspiration to us all. GOD BLESS YOU HENRY MC KEAN!
I was working in Cambodia a few years back, we used go for steak and chips every Friday night. Then after 4 months we realized there was no cows in Cambodia, so we asked the lady in the restaurant what we were eating, she said 'Chowa' as in Dog……Sam
Such a load of gombeens in the dail today. And the country in the state It's in and priority should be jobs.
Green Party has coherent strategy: elected reps do realpolitik, Dan Boyle does conscience
Dan Boyle is a coward. 2 hide behind a twitter page & not have the courage 2 come out & back up in person what he wrote. The Greens & FF deserve each other!Pat
Say what u like about the brits ,if this were England o Dea would be gone by now . Mike clare
Amazing how quick gov. Can move to save their own skin. Greens should now be called yellows.
Shane Ross is correct. This country is a joke. Mary doesn't have a clue. When I get my Chartered Engineer status, I will take my 30 years of experience which is not required here, and my fluent French, and take it somewhere it is valued. This is the land of chancers, thieving bankers and developers, and their cronies in Fianna Failure. John Ballinteer.
Willie's defence seems to be that everyone's standards are equally low. Banana republic is an understatement. Donnagh from Kerry.
Well done the now unemployed S R T workers you are doing what the unions have failed to do I hope all the unemployed come out and support you. Bernadette .
Rather than ring a bell the speaker of the dail should be able to give electric shocks to shut them up. I would say good money to watch that. Garry in Ennis.
There may be nobody at mass to listen to the papal letter.
Re: Abuse. OUR PARENTS ALL knew what was happening, but did nothing. Parents have to share a lot of d blame. Johnny in Artane.
Why don't ye say that both parties accepted that a genuine mistake was made on O'Dea's part instead of telling half the story?
It's not by chance that the Catholic Church has survived for 2000 years. They know how to batten down the hatches. Eddie
CLAIRE IVAN THE ONLY REASON THAT THERE IS A MEETING IN ROME IS BECAUSE THEY ARE LOSING MONEY.THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IS A JOKE AND IS ONLY INTERESTED IN POWER AND MONEY AND HISTORY SHOWS THIS.WHEN WILL THE OLDER IRISH PEOPLE COP ON.PAUL TIPPERARY AGED 45
Michael O Leary only wants hangar 6 because it has Airstrip and roadside access. He wants to buy the site and open a check in facility there, that's why DAA won't deal with him, they know this and they need him as a tenant in the main building
It nearly doesn't deserve the oxygen of any discussion or publication. You can split that statement all ya like, there's no apology in there or road map for a future and healing. Feck em, we dont need them.  Enjoy your life, the planet and your loved ones. Gene from cork
No apology from the pope. Shame on him. He’s no better than the priests that abused. He part blamed the abuse on REDUCED FAITH. How dare he insult the victims by saying that.  Andrew, Athlone
How long do you think you have to leave it before u can go out with a good mate's ex? He broke off with her a year ago. Conal
I was raped at a party in 1995. Took me 13 YEARS to realize that it was rape, not just a dodgy situation I shouldn't have allowed to happen. I felt ashamed all that time - but I did NOT consent, and I was NOT cajoled. It's not true to say that "you know when you've been raped". Our culture makes it difficult to see sometimes.
This is more of the same stuff from Women's groups about the supposed huge numbers of un reported rapes. I'm a Garda with 15 years service and I would say that somewhere in the region of 75 - 85% of reported rapes are actually not rapes at all but are females who can't remember whether they had sex or not. If they cant remember having sex or giving consent they are not in a position to accuse the man of rape. Of course there are high numbers of rapes and sexual assaults which are not reported due to fear of the consequences and of the court procedure but there has to be balance, we cant just accept that every reported case of rape is actually rape. Cork Garda
If the Tanaiste can't tell a Quango what 2 do or who 2 deal with. Then what purpose does a government serve?
I dont understand deirdre de burca's motives. She resigns as a senator because she wasnt given a job outside the senate. J
I'm no fan of Minister Coughlan but I hope she bites that little creeps head off and spits it out. He's up to something......as usual. Cee. Dublin.
The way O'Leary is behaving, as a person, is wrong. The way he's behaving for the company is excellent.
Why can i buy 2 boxes of tablets in a chemist in spain for 54 euro same cost 40 for l box in lreland. Rip off lreland . Ann.
I'm a Kerryman who has followed Rugby all my life - my Weekend was shattered - much more than if Kerry lost an All-Ireland - I'm not alone!
Why didn't Michael O'Leary go public on his job offer last September?  Why wait until now? Ed in Meath
It didnt feel like rugby was a minority sport when we won the grand slam last year. Fair weather fans! Gill, Dublin.
Tell that listener calling it a "minority sport" get lost. There are many identities to ireland & gombeen/rabid gaa morons can go to hell with their envy, dressed up as the only real version of ireland. Keith Dublin 2.
George, with 400 thousands plus unemployed, even at 100 jobs a week being created, it will take 80 years to get those figures down. Truth is this government is not doing enough.! Mick, Dublin.
I'm in Cullahill, County Laois and 5 military helicopters in convoy have just past heading south just now.  The funny thing is Ireland don't have 5 military helicopters. Have we been invaded??
God we're only over Valentines and now there are Mothers day cards on the shelves.  I'm robbed! There's a card for everything these days and I'm expected to get them all. What's the big whack with cards? there are such a waste of money. Tommy the Butcher

Made Thai pancakes. Same as usual but with coconut milk., num num num :)


Personally i have had good a & e experience. But when bringing my daughter to tallaght and seeing all the people in the halls sent a shiver up my spine. Shane in arklow
I had a player with a suspected broken leg at a match in glaslough co monaghan yesterday, it took the ambalance 1.5 hours to bring the player to drogheda nearly 100miles away. What is going on? Brian
A friend with cancer waited on a trolley for 36 for a bed in Galway. She had a compromised immune system and lay by an old man with Swine Flu. This was at UCHG, a centre of excellence for cancer! My arse! From Rob in Galway.
It says St Johns in Limerick was one of only 3 hospitals working efficently and Harney actually shut down that A+E earlier this year. We would like to have it back and to have Harney sacked and locked up. F o'shea Limerick.
85yr old pensioner from rush waiting 4 days on a trolley for a bed in beaumont this week. This man in on a different planet with his statistics.
Cyber sex is absolutely cheating, i would feel rejected and like we had a problem if my partner did it - Emilie
Look behind the 'Tea Party' movement; some very nasty WASPish characters - Pat Burke
Don't agree with green politics and would not vote for them. Having said i believe they have progressed green issues more since they have been in government than previous or future 10 years outside government. Norman
Greens are in government to environmently tax us as much as possible while ordinary people get poorer and poorer. Hope they enjoy it cause once they get booted out they wont get back in again until hell freezes over.
Knowing maths and teaching maths are very different things. The problems with maths is curriculum based and nothing to do with the standard of teaching.
An Irish solution to an Irish problem... Why not just introduce same sex marriage? John Dublin
Typical... For all of clare byrne's reporting on our economic situation she remains blissfully unaware of peoples' problems. I would be lucky if i could afford roses from tescos...
Ivan, I read in the paper the other day that George Lee will be entitled to hand shake worth over 15,000 euro for 9 months service in Dail Eireann. I served for over 31 years in the Army as a Sgt, with numerous tours of duty overseas. My gratuity for the whole of my service came to under 60,000 euro. I would argue pound for pound that I did the state somewhat more service than Mr Lee. Or have I got it all wrong!
Tell Claire to stop bein a snob, valentines day is about showin how much u care not how much u can spend! I tink its great u can get roses for that price wen u consider d amount of unemployed males in the country!
Clare, you seem to be saying that you would only accept expensive presents - material girl? JD
37850 in expenses?? Am i hearing right - i earn nowhere near that and i work fulltime unlike that shower in the dail that are in once every 3days, if that.
Do u know how much water is re-directed from communities in east africa so we can buy flowers on valentines day?? If u must at least buy local . . Emerald, cork
It is an offence for the officers of the GRA to canvass members on industrial action. Why have these officers not been arrested? Pat Lynch
I hope the media now realises what a poor job it did in explaining the fiscal transfers that logic dictates the Lisbon & Maast. Treaties demand. Greece shows a common european currency does not allow sufficient restraint & discipline. The EU will only work if it has a common taxation, economic & monetary y & City Managers were among those that B. Lenihan exempted from wage cuts. We have far 2 much government
Why is Cowen at the EU Greece talks? Is it not enough that he made a complete B*****x of the Irish economy without letting him loose on the poor Greeks???
Why didnt u ask bank of scotland 2 b honest and tel us their corporate busines is also closed 4 business? They just cut my working capital 4 no reason. The dogs on the street know they are pulling out. John. Dublin.
Its sad to think that george lee's departure has caused a new makeover for enda.from now on he will be a puppet propped up by his front bench.mike
Twenty years ago i packed in a job with one of the big high street banks much to my family's dismay. I could see then that the industry was full of liars creeps and back stabbers. I have been proven right. Boff galway
Banks lent money they didn't have in the first place & are charging interest on it! It's called fractional banking. They're allowed to create money\credit electronically on a PC from thin air, up to 10 times what they have in deposits. Why can't they give us a moritorium on money they didn't have in the first place but continue to make profit\interest on? Why are you prevented from discussing this? it's time for you, journalists, to seriously investigate and demand answers and explanations on behalf of the public, not to be complicit by staying silent.This is too important an issue to ignore. -Jason D7 4052108

Hi Clare & Ivan. Bobby was an excellent guest, and an inspirational businessman! Too many SMEs bemoan the minimum wage & say they can't take a wage themselves. What does this say about their business acumen?
Question - Will i lose my tracker mortgage? Or will contract stand?
Can u tell bobby to sort out his toasting machines in shops. Painfully slow for people taking out sandwiches. Joe
If accusing lee of greed is so awful why did NewsTalk give that idiot Eoghan Harris 10 min to do just that unchallenged yesterday. You are hypocrites.
Good morning claire and ivan. I disagree with what ivan said about people not going into politics for money. Isnt the expenses issue in itself proof they do. John clondalkin
Your sports man should watch the Nani tackle again  - it was one footed and he won the ball . Don't simply read a paper report !
Dear Ivan - d td frm kildare is right. I was imposed onto a VIRTUAL primary care team whose meetings are in a RIVAL GP surgery to which i can never attend in dublin 5. We are now loss-making on our medical card patiens since all d fee reductions and our practises are being subsidised by d sparse private patients. On 6th march we have a major meeting to discuss the viability of continuing in d med card scheme. So d primary care teams are dead in d water... Dr.johnny
How can DUBLIN TDs claim 12grand to get to the Dail? I live and work in dublin and my boss does not pay for my diesel or bus fare. . . I dont get it.
Is there any provision for td's to clock out as well, so we can know how much time they actually spend in leinster house? And how about a monthly productivity report for each one, so we know what the do and he we are getting value for money?
I mean this...i am a nurse in d coal face, fast burning out. 220 primary care centres do not exist, except in dreams of dept of ill health. Ta. Allison
Is there any provision for td's to clock out as well, so we can know how much time they actually spend in leinster house? And how about a monthly productivity report for each one, so we know what the do and he we are getting value for money?
I live and work in Dublin, can i have 12k in travel expenses? I don't think so... What a joke. Ash, Dublin
All Party agreement on Dail expenses reform! Do the TD's not get it, how can they claim expenses without receipts? What Company would allow its employees to do this! Yet again they had a chance to get it right and build public confidence in the Dail and yet again they have missed the mark completely! Will they ever learn? How can they be so out of touch with reality in a time were they are actively reducing Public sector pay? David.
Ivan, ask Joe Higgins why Permanent TSB has one of the highest mortgage rates in the country? Are they offering to buy the loan book at better rates than other banks? Paul in Dublin.
Nelligan brilliant! Talks so much sense. Get him into politics! Siobhan from Donegal
God bless Maurice Nelligan he says it as it is ! Bebhinn, Midwest
Hi George tell FG to stop digging... they got it wrong about George Lee... get on with life.  Gerry in Limerick
George stop this nonsense of "protecting jobs" . Governments can't keep subsidising unavailable jobs that can only create a low cost business environment. Mick
George. Any chance of extending your singles night in Galway? There is a heap of us down here in need of your match making skills. Jules in galway
George, whats wrong with private provision of public health. The excellent french system is payed for by state but provided by private sector. Colm, Swords.
We train our Doctors by making them pay the full economic cost of their training. Why are we giving doctors a half a million euro in free education.
We need private hospitals to reduce overcrowding in public hospitals. Harney is right. Privatisation worked well in Holland. Joe wexford
We spend more per capita on our health system(both public and private) than Uk, France, Canada etc who have much better systems. Unions are stiffling reform.
George Lee thought he had nothing to do but slip into a telephone box, leap out in his cape and lycra, and kill all the bad boys and save the world. Robert.
Saw the haiti documentary last night. Fair play george and fair play to all who went. It appears to be a fantastic project and intend to get involved next time.
George. Kenny has played a blinder for FG. Why do people expect so much more from the leader of the opposition than they do from the Taoiseach. From Mary in Clonskeagh
George. Well done on raising the issue of the constituency based system. This is the cause of so much disillusion and apathy with our political system. Of course there is no Left/Right debate in this country, the majority of votes are cast based upon local pointscoring issues and not on any sense of ideology or direction. Tiernan Griffith Gray
Do the unions, such as Unite, live on cloud cuckoo land. How do they think that they can fight the decision by am independent company to stop trading in Ireland. I am sick of listening to militant bull. Paul in Mullingar.
I have travelled with my family across Wisconsin, Minnesota and finished in Chicago. Great part of America. I was near the twin cities when the bridge collapsed. Highlight was a town called Tomah, Wisconsin. Chicago is a great city. We had travelled from Yellowstone through Montana and South Dakota. I would recommend the trip. The people are amazing. Very friendly. Brian, Lucan
The unions live in fantasy economics land. Why dont they back the staff to take over the bank if they think its viable.  Mick
George Lee is a spoilt D4 brat . He will have no authority to speak about economic matters in the future . Don't know what good he is to Rte in the future ! I'd fire him from RTE as well !
George lee is like a spoilt child . He should have done his job per 27 thousand votes . Eamonn .
I think george has done the country a great service in exposing the body politic for the slow antiquated way we do business.
In all seriousness, I firmly believe George Lee went into politics with the best intentions, ie to oppose Fianna Fail's economics policies.  Only trouble is, he joined Fine Gael, and in only nine months he clearly realised they're exactly the same party, just with different coloured shirts. If nothing else he's made a Monday interesting for us! Sniffles MacGonagal
Arent chuggers techically harassing you for money?! So can they not be prosecuted under the new begging laws?! They are very intimidating. Rach
I write my wife "Love texts" all the time - little phrases on how much I cherish her and how much she means to me. She does the same to me. We are together just over ten wonderful years and married for the second time. Every birthday and Christmas I write a longer tome on the card. I have done this with my 3 children since they were able to read and now to my grandchildren. Romance has not gone away - we just don't go on about it. Conor
Sounds like palin is as negative, shrill, hollow, and nasty as ever. Scary 2 think she might b rep. pres candidate in 2012. Jackie
'CLAIRE' I WAS HASSLED FOR 15 MINUTES ON GRAFTON ST BEFORE XMAS, I ENDED SIGNED A D DEBIT FOR 20 A MONTH AND THE WANTED MORE, I FIND MORE HASSLE THAN PEOPLE AT ATM's BRENDAN DUBLIN.
Boards of management do not have to instruct teachers to make up lost days due to weather. Do we have minimum number of days for our kids to get educated or not. Or are agreements worth nothing. Martin cork
Not all charities guilty of chugging. Irish wheelchair association does not operate chugging.
Sarah Palin is a moron. Dara in cork
Hi George... It seems a farce that Mr Lillis only got 6 years 11 months when a prison officer caught bringing in contraband to Limerick Prison got 7 years... Something is very wrong George... Paul in Roscommon
Hookster, have you tried any Head Shop products?I had no interest in Head Shops until you all started debating them.... Now my curiousity is taking me to one tomorrow.
Love john waters honesty and passion! Adrienne
George, why can we motivate a country to boiling point over a silly match. Yet when it comes to our government we say and do nothing. I give up. Willie Limerick
George if we close head shops we will simply force decent law abiding drug users back to criminals. The numbers of drug deaths is insignificant compared to the number from drink. Lee in limerick
Sean, who do you think would win in a fight between a badger and a sausage dog? Aaron
Jim Corr and Charlie Bird - what a combo. Perfect coupling.
If Grainne Seoige had a voice like a fishwife, would she still be attractive? Mark. Cork
Nice segway ... Jekyl and Hyde into Mel Gibson.  Well as they say in the senate, 'all work and no play makes jack a dull beanstalk.  John
Ewstalk … talking female sheep. Tom
Your reporter at the chamber of commerce function sounds as if he got his script from the FF Press Office.
The incredible thing about the toll increases is that it will discourage motoristsfrom using most nationwide tolls and will reduce revenues. Paul in Mullingar.
Public servants take 15% paycut, Ivan says times are tough, get over it. Ivan's parking and toll charges go up, (along with everyone else's), Ivan says this is bad and gloomy. Ivan, do you consider yourself a Journalist?
With u all the way Ivan. Robbie Keane totally overrated. Why didn't he put a goal in the french net !!!! Mick kildare
Speed reduction did not prevent a serious accident on Eden Quay this morning
Sean, I'm tough and eating while listening to the podiatrist.  My Aunt had a really, really bad hammer toe (a middle toe) and eventually had to have it amputated last year.  She's sorry she didn't have it done years ago. Desperate Housewife  PS: I have lovely feet with long skinny toes, the only part of me that IS long and skinny.
Hi Sean! About feet … In the house I used to share a house with a few people, one of the guys was a bit peculiar. Arriving home to cook dinner, I discovered him with his bare feet on the kitchen table, using a hacksaw to cut off the dead skin on his heels and sandpaper to smooth them down. Needless to say, dinner was cancelled! Sir Lobster Random
Hi Moncrieff Team.  There is a newly launched website www.eazydayz.ie - it has a list of child friendly restaurants in the country. Sean
There’s a kids club every Sunday in Gandon’s in Emo, co. Laois.
Sean, I thought the Italian tradition of treating kids like royalty was a myth until I saw it first hand last year.  I was in Rome with my nephew who was 6 months at the time, and people were crossing the street to say hello to him! It was a joy to witness. Claire
Gilmore is easily the outstanding leader in irish politics. Straight, on waffle. He will certainly get my vote, brendan
Are we all not meant to be able to drive slow in housing estates. Some which have long roads between the entrance and your house. ! Dermot. Dublin.
Claire does this now make Bernard Mc Namara an official Zombie developer whistling by the graveyard ? Eamonn in Wicklow
It was a pleasure to hear Eamon gilmore giving straight answers. First politician I have heard doing that. Ivan sounded taken aback momentarily. Bryan Limerick
I am for a 30km speed limit in city centre. I would also want it in residential estates where children play. A person hit at 50km 9 out of 10chance of dying, at 30km 1 in10.
Claire, Ivan Why stop the limiting at 30 km an hour why not 10 km an hour that would be even safer - joe ringsend
Re haiti. Almost none of the money pledged to tsunami hit countries in asia was actually delivered. Jack Kildare.
Trade Union leaders need strikes to justify their massive salaries and like builders and developers are hated as they are now seen as scum looking out for their owm personal motivations as they recklessly destroy the irish economy. Anthony rathgar
30kmph Serves people right for voting for muppets from labour and Fine Gael.
30km an hour is complete bullshit, why don't the just take out the engines out of the cars and put peddle's in instead. Peter
Ivan, 30 kph is 18 mph. Tom
Does that man expect me to cycle to dublin from offaly every day?i already leave at 6 to avoid most of traffic & stay in work until 7 to avoid evening rush hour.whats the point if i can only go 30km during those times.ridiculous.
I 'm a cyclist. I'll be breaking the limit.
First day and the gardai on quays w speed trap-disgrace.
Hi claire i travel 100 kilometers a day on the roads. Before hooking the texters we have to re enforce the previous law of not to use mobile while driving. I see at least 20 people talking on the phone . I am texting you while i am on my way to work now in m 50. Thanks. Robin
Its pure nanny state. Anyone who texts and drives now will still try and bypass the code. And what a pain for commuters. - dave, tallaght.
It would suit the rsa better to concentrate on educating the full license holders who can't drive on motorways, frost or fog than helping private enterprise screw more money out of motorists under the gripe of road safety
Claire, we are in the age of technology so why can't someone develop voice recognition texting or a service that you can subscribe to that converts your voice message to text and sends it as well. Simon...
So civil servants aren't answering their phones today? Business as usual so!
I was in Dublin last week and i have never seen so many young people begging! I was shocked!
Isnt it ironic that the last time begging laws were enforced we were also living under a tyrannical government! Neil in cork
Get rid of the clipboard brigade they are most intimidating cant move in limerick with them they are worse than any poor misfortune homeless person. Siobhan
Its laughable that the punishment for beggars who break the new law is a fine of 400euro! How are they ever to pay that?
Anyone you see sitting in the same spot daily are virtually all professional beggars an certainly not homeless. I know a guy who lives next door to me and makes a good income out of begging. He gets welfare and is certainly not homeless. Most genuine homeless people actually dont beg at all.
Can workers claim inability to live on the minimum wage. Not everything has gone down. Niall ìn dublin
Claire, the government should means test all public sector workers pay to ensure the tax payer is not funding second homes, new cars mulpiple holidays etc and leave the pay of those that haven't overstretched themselver alone
The minimum wage also protects the specials needs and handicapped.some people expect these people to survive on wind.the catering and hotel industry were always into slavery
That restaurant owner has enraged me. Its none of his business where his employees live. When i was a student,my wages contributed to the family home. He is so arrogant,not every student drinks their wapes and even if they do, he doesnt have the rite to comment
After 13 years in the hotel industry iv experienced the good,bad and ugly side of the industry.the latest scam is the payment of a shift rate instead of the hourly rate, €6O per shift with no time limit on the shift:.iv witnessed shifts of 9 and 1O HOURS for this money.they cant get away with it. Pat athy
So the Dublin jersey is Red White & blue? The (Union) Jackeens are truly back! Paddy, Cork.
Abortion ,thou shalt not kill
Is anyone else surprised that only 60% of 18-34 year olds were in favour of abortion being legalised in Ireland? Conservative Ireland? Stephen, Dublin.
Coverage of haiti very good. Thank you ivan ger etc. Kieran from castleknock
Claire If Obama cant gt Massachusetts to support him what hope has he got. Is this the begining of the end of the new begining ?!!
Clare / Ivan Thank God common sense has prevailed in regard to the bank enquiry we cant afford the political enquiry proposed by labour Party regards Pat
Fair play ger and newstalk. those reports from haiti are superb. great work by all. dan on way birr to galway
If it is possible for something like the Haiti earthquake to have a silver lining it would be that the world focus is now on Haiti. A friend of mine was there 2 years ago and his opinion was that Haiti was a lost cause. Now it might have a bright future when this tragedy is dealt with. Billy
As the insurance companies know, older drivers are safer drivers... A medical at 70 is a good idea, but really we should concentrate on controlling the lethal 'boy racers' on our roads, not their grandfathers! Jim, Cork
Ten days with no water in Terenure! And the car washes in the city still running! And even when it comes back, I will have to get a plumber out AGAIN - my tank gets air locked every time the pressure gets low. Should I be taking a night course in plumbing for 2010? Ciara
My brother lives in clarecastle ennis co clare and for the last 8 years they cant drink the tap water. They spend a fortune bottled water -why arent the media reporting on this. The councils and gov have forgotten them. Linda, maynooth
There is at least a five hundred litre tank of water in all your attics. Surely this is lasting everyone the few hours the water is turned off. The only tap that wont work would b your kitchen cold tap
Anytime my water has been shut off i have not received any notice of it. What happens if i'm running the dishwasher or washing machine and the water is cut off. If the machine breaks, who pays! Patrick in carrickmines.
Personally i would prefer the county engineers out there fixing water supply than some politicians sitting round a table drinking tea and calling themselves an emergency response commitee. Which is what is happening.
My 79 yr old father lives in Rathfarnam Village his water pressure goes up and down each day and he is runing up and down the attic ladder with buckets of water...he is told by Sth Dublin CoCo that it is DCC's problem and Visa Versa....are these Civil Servants trained to blame everyone else ??.... is this "policy"..Mark
Why are you not talking about the water situation in Dublin? Are pipe problems being traced and repaired? Why is the media so silent?
We've had the floods. We've had the freeze. and now we have torn-up roads - more potholes than we've ever seen. So where is the councils fixing the roads? Where are those we pay our roadtaxes to? John in Galway...
I'm fed up with farmers always complaining about supermarket prices. Why don't they open there own supermarkets? Dave in Waterford
Claire, remember the 'Louise Woodward' Trial in the US 13 years ago? The chief prosecutor in that trial was a Ms Martha Coaxley, who's running in the Massachussetts senate race on the democratic ticket... Andy in Castlebar
ADRA Ireland is in Haiti helping the affected people-www.mycharity.ie/charity/adra
Hi all - any inquiry into banks in ireland must be held in public and we should NOT let any T. D. Or Senator be in involved. Otherwise, it will look like a snow job been done... From Ciaran Keegan in Cork
What's all this about the 3rd Mon of the year being the worst day? Frankly, I can't tell the difference - they're ALL dull, cold & miserable. John, Terenure.
Haiti may need everything... Ireland only needs one thing - a revolution. James, Wexford
There is no point having any sort of a private inquiry into banking. It's not like any other inquiry or tribunal. It affects us all. No fudge will be accepted this time. The government need to be straight with u -, after all, it's our money that's holding the banks together... Let there be no more messing the people about by this government. A full public inquiry broadcast on live tv is the only answer. John in Letterkenny
On a topic from Fri - I went to the same C of I school as Ivan, and we learnt the anthem in the language in which it was written as well as in Irish. Charlotte
Claire - my sister was targeted to grow lending by 8 million in small town in ulster with no business above twenty people. She was told to be cute and do it. Pressure drove this and greed from top down...
Claire\ Ivan - Firstly, welcome back Claire. Secondly, in all honesty, what good will a 'banking inquiry' do? It will not tell us anything we don't already know. If it does go ahead nobody will be held accountable for their actions or inactions , particularly members of government. The only thing it will do is to line the pockets of solicitors or barristers. If I thought for one second that those responsible for putting our country in such a dreadful state would face legal action, ousted from their cushy positions or indeed face prison sentences, I would be in total agreement with it going ahead. Otherwise it's like everything else this government has done to date: pointless, useless, and a gross waste of money. - Seanie
Bankers know too much about the bribery, corruption, collusion, and abuse of political patronage of the FF government since 1997 with their benefactors to  be vulnerable in society. (An Inquiry) is a waste of time. It is that simple. John, Dublin
Ivan and Claire - The Dáil bank enquiry will cost millions, and will interfere with garda enquiry... Regards, Pat.
Welcome back, Claire. Ivan is good but we missed your lovely voice...
Ivan - Honestly, what's the point of an enquiry into the financial screwup in Ireland? It's going to be yet another waste of taxpayers money as there will be no prosecutions, nothing will change in the way things are done, nothing can be achieved whilst those in power hold the puppet strings of those who investigate. We're part of Europe, why can't the ECB appoint independent experts from across the Euro Zone to carry out an impartial investigation which will lead to prosecutons and recommendations? Simon...
I have the opposite of that woman, i have a real problem trying to say yes.  Rev Ian Paisely.
Can Beths Wareham's book be made into a religion because she is talking sense on biblical proportions.  Carla
My colleague sitting beside me at work has spent that last 10 minutes talking to her boyfriend on the phone telling him all about what she's eaten today.  I know you never know what goes on behind closed doors but MAN ALIVE ... that's boring.  Claire, Galway
Hello. My name is Mick.  I am an alien friend. I have impregnated Sean with my child.  How can I help your people.
Ivan's constant slagging + condescending attitude of Tom Dunne shows off Yates's insecurities! IVAN GET A LIFE . JJ.
Can I say that I have switched to 106 from Radio 1 and I love the few minutes chat between Ivan and Tom. I am regularly screaming laughing at their chats. It sets me up for the day. Phil
Have to say Lads - I often let a roar at the radio when Ivan continually takes over Tom's wee spiel every morning! Cool the heels Ivan, cool the heels!
I can vouch for Conor's school not teaching the national anthem. Although considering his singing on Under the Boardwalk for Mr Kennedy, maybe it was a good idea...  Paul from Blanchardstown.
1916 was in the graphic novel series Preacher. It had an Irish vampire in it. Mark in Finglas.
I'm glad Tom pulled Ivan up because he always drags Tom off point when he only has 2mins to talk about his show - it's annoying ! Rory, Dublin
In Australia, due 2 water shortage people save shower & bath water in buckets 2 fill toilet cisterns. if we all did tis we would free up water 4 others...
It is almost 11 degrees, so turn taps off over weekend. All sorted. Except for the 60% going into ground. This is the broken system they want to start charging for. If service is interrupted can we then charge them? Graham. Navan.
Get over it, Jasus - Look at Haiti. Think yourselves lucky, you only have a break in your water supply... Bart. In Finglas with no water, but getting on with it.
D information is ridiculous dat is comin out from Dublin City Council! Also do not ring d line u r totally told wot seems like a pack of lies! Dis isnt good enough in 2010, we're not a 3rd world country! Dey need 2get der finger out! Rhona from Artane
No water in Lucan this morning! Felt bad until I heard ye talking about Haiti. Siobhan
Conor n Ivan: No water, poisoned water tables, no electricity, roads destroyed, transport impossible, poor building infrastructure, corrupt political system Haiti? No Welcome to modern Ireland! Eamonn in Wicklow
Any chance Ivan Yates could be a little bit more sensitive to the late Celine and her family? He seemed to really enjoy reading the tabloid story about her husbands affair... A disgusting way to treat this very sad story.
Jaysus, lads... It's fairly clear why Business loved Anglo - they gave everybody anything they wanted! That's the kind of relationship banking we can do without. Mike
Can someone please explain to me why its taken me an hour to get from Wicklow to the Glen of The Downs. We knew from last Sunday there would be ice last night. Great planning once again. Mike
I am fed up listening to reports about the road conditions the weather and the after effects of the cold snap. We are alive and we haven't just had a force 7 earth quake which has killed hundreds of thousand people. Get things into perspective. Regina . Carrick
Who is responsible 4 the state of the major roads? The n25 between Youghal and Middleton is like a piece of swiss cheese - full of major holes and very dangerous...
Morning, can we give this weeks lotto money to the haitians? Its four and a half million, who needs it!? We should give a chunk of it on an ongoing basis. Who woldn't feel happy about doing that? Forget the potholes, and i know they r bad, we can slow down and b careful and do something that really counts in terms of humanity. Can u find out about that? Well done to dennis . Anne thanksxx
I know this might sound heartless, but I could only imagine in the unlikely event of us having a natural disaster what we'd be like. Jesus, a bit of snow and frost and it's now day 5 without water. No news letter to let you know if there was going to be tankers or if its coming back. We are a joke of a country. If i could i'd be gone - is anybody in this country ever going to held accountable for anything?
Your analysis dead on ivan. I am just back from china where they are trying to put the property fire out there, ie. the bubble in prices - crazy inflation - properties totally out of line with real values(ie what rental return they yield). So in china now-if ya want to buy a second property-ya need 40% to 50% deposit. Govt attempting to dampen speculation !! Unlike our government who fuelled the fire here-with tax breaks and free for all reckeless credit availability. Tom in skerries
Rubbish lads. Get a grip. Iris Robinson is fair game on the basis that she preached moral values to others while singing from an entirely different hymn sheet. Now she's claiming the pressures of public life are taking their toll ... God forbid anyone take responsibility for their actions! Any claim she's coming in for undue criticism is talking rhubarb. Damien, Dublin.
I work at fas and management has little interest in developing new courses though the suggestions are fed up along the line by the staff on the ground meeting the public
ReBranding is the biggest waste of money in any corporate organisation. Let alone a public body known for wasting money. John West
Water turned off every nite since christmas in kinnegad-no info when call county council. Once dublin is hit it gets media attention- Dave
As you are now playing music, perhaps something by the muppets for all the local govt who blithely gave the ok for housing with no thought for where the extra water supply was to come from. Brian, waterless in kildare.
Where does my tax money go to? Yet again the local council can't grit the roads when needed, traffic moving by 20km/h on national road. Is it all going to benchmarked salaries and other perks? Cheers, andy in west cork
Funny that about the coffee comment your guest made. I saw a very pretty girl at a Centra shop in Limerick. We were both waiting to be served when she started looking for a packet of crisps. She picked a packet of Meenies and i must admit i found her more attractive for it.  Not sure why. Shane

Hi Sean ... I found a steak in the freezer from a year ago.  Do you think its ok to eat? Maria


I had an accident which was caused by uninsured driver. My insurance company made no effort to persue them. Cost me my no claims bonus and a huge hike. They were done for dangerous driving but I had to pay!!!! Helen in Bray
My neighbour is a brickie who became a developer, publican and hotelier, is insolvent but is currently playing golf in Portugal as he says he has his wealth well hidden, and the tax payer will pay his losses. This is a typical example of how FF and builders/developers operate outside the normal rules of society, and are above the law. But the tax payer will be hit yet again... John, Dublin
When did lusting after a teenager become a "medical condition", as Geoffrey Donaldson put it yesterday? Good on ya ,Mrs R. Time to address the hypocrisy though... John
I had depression for three years and made very poor sexual and financial decisions - that were totally out of character - as a symptom. I feel very sorry for the Robinsons. I wouldn't wish depression on anyone, or any family...
Ivan , if you want some music to accompany the Iris Robinson story, then "Teenage Kicks " by The Undertones fits the bill! Nigel in Cavan
Can anyone do anything for themselves anymore "they weren't aware of the early childcare package available"... Don't these people ever read the papers, watch the news or speak to other people with young kids? What a laugh.
Shinners and Dupers both imploding....what are the chances of a party merger calling themselves Democratic Sinn Fein? Much more in common than we 1st thought... Herbie in Clonsilla, D.15
MATCH MAKING  I dated online since I moved to the US in 1994.  On return to Ireland in 2004 I found Mrs Right (Aisling) on Anotherfriend.com.  At our wedding there was a mutter when I said where we met. The acid test however is today we celebrate our daughters 1st birthday after 3 year together. I love our life together and thanks to an internet dating site.  The only way to go in my opinion and I kissed lot of frogs down the years!!!  Geoff

MATCH MAKING / Take up dancing if you want to meet a girl (swing, salsa, ballroom, set or tango) and role playing games if you want to meet men. Eimhear


IRIS ROBINSON / Peter Robinson should have 'grassed' up his wife if he knew. As first minister and head of a political party in power then how can he expect people to follow laws that he enacts if he doesn’t follow them himself. Anyone entering politics should be aware of that. It’s ok to feel sorry for them on a human level but justice has to be seen to be equal for all. Regards, Alan, Mullingar.
For what it's worth, the initial public hearings of the US Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission get underway this week - they are being referred to as "long overdue" in the States!
Good Morning, I'm guessing Meath County Council were working like Trojans last night, Louth County Council too..... I've driven from Navan and I'm nearing Dundalk travelling (cautiously) at 80 to 100kph. Temps have varied from -5 to -10. Excellent driving conditions. Dermot, Navan
Men might not nag, but criticism is not gender specific. Maybe French law will include denegrating language.
Ivan . Just to let you know . Am inthe army and for the next week a total of 15 guys and keeps are on standby for help to the HSC since yesterday. That's in the Kildare area . Lads have also been put on standby to help gritting .
How many local or co. councillors called for emergency meetings of their councils since christmas?
Why dont we do what we done years ago - each house and business clear the footpaths in front of their premises or house. Why dont we help ourselves? Joe, Dublin
Wear your golf shoes to avoid slipping on the pavements. I've done this for the last couple of days and have no trouble getting around. Andreas.
Sean I live in the wexford country side and have ordered winter tyres from germany. Even if we only get 2months of this weather a year it's worth having winter tyres.
Hey Sean, re: language & grammar. Why, oh why do people say 'I DONE IT' & 'I SHOULD HAVE WENT'? PeeBee
Hi Sean. A polish colleague of mine couldn't believe that we knew nothing about snow tyres. He changed to them months ago. He has no problems with the roads, just everyone else on them! Ken
I come from a village of 500 people in Gloucestershire. They had a snow plough to clear the main rds and for gritting. Don't blame the ministers.  It's the county councils who are responsible. It's a scandal and shows the general level of incompetence. Had guys over fm scotland and they could not believe a bit of snow could shut the city down. Richard

Its pathetic to see the country grind to a halt because of this cold snap. Dempsey should resign. We have thousands of jcb s ,graders etc lying idle because of the downturn,these machines should be utilised first before gritting is done. I lived in Canada for 6 years working as a fitter and you would not see this mayhem in the smallest town. It's a sin how our so called leaders are handling this. Alan


Wexford county council have plenty of beaches available. Can they not grit with sand? Noel
Ivan worth mentioning how crazy it was that bus lanes were not opened immediately for use during the period when buses were stopped yesterday - practical thinking is obviously too much to expect
Ivan what a joke this country is. Where is our tax money going? First the floods now this. Cowen is becoming more of a lame duck than bush ever was. Zero leadership
Everybody in Ireland knew we had a dodgy banking system. Everybody knew that there were people immune to the attentions of the Gardai. Saying one thing and doing another is the Irish way, and it always fails in the long run. But it works in the short run, and it isn't going to change. Alice Turner
Banks banks banks we now blame the banks, its not the banks fault it was our gangster goverments fault. Brian
Hi guys i was in america last summer and the atms there allow you to lodge money into them as well as take it out. Maybe they will install those around the country. Kevin cherrywood
The govt should cut all family home mortgages by 50% from Dec 31st and make the banks pay the cost of their stupidity and greed.
A 15 year old engaging in sex is commiting a crime how could a doctor prescribe in these circumstances
Gas n esb prices shud fall by 25pc asap if we're to have any jobs left in this country. Do u hear that mr gormley. It's an absolute disgrace that bord gais is giving out pay increases while small businesses go to the wall.
Little known american band?!! Only to auld lads who still think big tom is the king of rock
Rage against the Machine didn't get a number one, people sick of saccharine, manufactured pop got the number one. John, Lucan
If those young priests can't handle questions about their faith or how the church fits into todays society, what on earth are they doing becoming priests?
If the regulators office was not doing its job, will the pension of the last regulator be hit as punishment? From a fedup tax payer
Shame on him another priest lets us down again.....mary co limerick
Re your sex offender item: We have an appeal process in our Courts system. If this convicted man was not actually guilty, would he not have appealed?
Disgrace, cant even imagine the scene in the court.
As a woman I am horrified by what happened to the victim in court and the attitude of that so called priest.
Im from Listowel. That priest and those people who passed by the victim and shook the convicteds hand do not represent me or the town of Listowel. They should be ashamed!
Hav twin babies in d4, 2 bring them last wk €75! I pay almost €400 prsi per month! Sophie!
Hi i paid 50 euro to a GP in celbridge yesterday n and out n 5 min tom
When i pay my GP by cheque, he asks me to make it out to cash -"to keep it away from the taxman". His words. €60 a pop. Tony
Claire, the party will never be over for CEOs. At those salaries, pension & other benefits it is still in full swing. There is no proper pay proportionality in this little country whatsoever. . . . Eugene in Naas.
Gas Board quoted me E400 to move my gas metre 20 inches under the sink.this is their minimum price and they are the only ones allowed do this ie can't ask a normal registered contractor to do it.
Citizens arrest. Can that be applied to bankers or bishops?
Ivan there is such thing as criminal negligence. Why shouldnt the bishops be charged? Why should the religious get a free pass?
Obama just commited another 30,000 troops to war. He has reversed his electoral promise of withdrawal. Today he is awarded the Nobel Peace Prize! Hitler would have enjoyed this New World Order! Angry Dave.
How can the public sector unions expect the support of the general public when they picketed a place for the dying and now treaten to picket children as they go into junior and leaving cert exams ! Alan. Dublin.
Claire, i run a small company and in order to keep the company going, my take home pay covers my mortgage and a car loan. I have cancelled my pension. We have 2 children and live on my wifes wages. I am not giving my name for obvious reasons.
Colleagues working in banks no change in der salaries my was slashed as pub servant Ann
As a public servant I am sore about the budget and its effect on my wages. But the biggest problem Im facing is that over the last 15 months my weekly pay is down by almost 190 euro. I dont even mind that if its to help the country, but the people I owe money to, mortgage lenders, credit unions, credit cards etc do not take this into account. They all still went their money now. This is where so many people are suffering. From Tom
My daughter + friend's at the airport this morning to see off a chiidhood friend. This budget is more about the young people. It's there country, + their future. Start talking about them + their future?. Geraldine cork
I know i will be in a minority but i think this was a good necessary budget Only quibble the political decision not to touch oap or extend tax base. Liam
Ivan - were the gardai and nurses worried about me a solicitor married to another solicitor when our profession was decimated with redundancies and pay cuts of 10-20% across the majority of firms. Its time for us all to share the pain.
Hey guys, I'm no economist but as a mother of 3 who is trying to feed, clothe and keep them warm on 350 per week, with no government help (we're waiting on a reply from F.I.S for nearly 2 months now). I am delighted to see that my children's allowance is being hit, but at least we'll have 7,000 hectacres of trees and a memorial to senator Kennedy. Delightful.
George unless we create jobs for our youths we will see a huge increase in drug related crime in this country. We the Irish, both private and public must stand side by side and get rid of these parasites in goverment.i am in the private sector by the way. Chris Jones.
Spike Milligan said.."all I ask is the chance to prove that wealth can't make me happy"
isnt it hard 2 believe jackie healy rae has ben promised a 42 bed hospital but yet the gov are closing wards around why are we so "thick" taking this? Kevin galway
Brian Lennihan being described as a poor man! FF + Banks got the country into this mess. We reap what we sow! Simon...
What do you call a zoo with no animals? A shitzu!
Nothing happens to bankers a man goes to jail for no dog license what is wrong with this picture
Tiger woods has changed his name to lion cheetah
Hi Ivan/Claire, what's the difference between a Cadillac and a Titleist? Tiger can drive a Titleist 300 yards without hitting a tree! Cheers, Paul, Navan
God! This Woods business is so seedy and shoddy, for all their money, I rather be dead than live in their world. Anne.
Got bed and mattress delivered from north saved 1000 Euro 50%
If ur listeners are upset at unions running rings round gov 4 1.3 billion they should be angry at bankrters getting billions 4 zombie banks!
Clothes are twice the price here,even between branch stores of the same companies.Drop your prices and people won't travel. I had to to stay in business.Kevin
This proposal to reduce working hours in the public sector instead of salary cuts is trulu crazy! It does absolutely nothing for competitiveness and reduces services to the paying public. John, Terenure
Hi, unpaid leave is there already but has been stopped. When u did ask for it the managers were turning you down. Were does that leave us?
It's not just shopping trips? A lot of people are going North for dental treatment ect! (Martin. Rathgar)
Even if excise was reduced, you could be sure that our nation's shopkeepers would rip us off for a few weeks more as they fumble in the greasy till. Fuzzy Dunlop.
Very good points from that guy in gort. Why pay vat if no help. We send money to all places in the world and these flood people should now get help from eu etc
I'm driving car crying for that man michael. Ivan is right charity should beghn at home. God bless him. Siobhan dublin
For gods sake will this goverement please do something for the people in this country forget about banks recession etc help these people today please
First class Ivan. At last. Somebody came out and said what needed to be said. The best bit of commentary I personally have heard since the start of the recession and the analysis thereof. I have a big mortgage but I can't blame the government, banks, developers, or anybody else. I applied for it and signed my name. By the way, I also have 2 kids so cuts will affect me also. I'm self employee. Tom in Tipp.
Ivan, u cant bale out people who made decisions? BANKS ?!! Derek.
My husband is unemployd, i make 25k a year with 1 child & 1 on the way. I have a managable mortgage & use child benefit to heat my home & feed my family. I dont care if some1 on over 100k cant pay 4 their overpriced house, i cant afford to feed my family!
Anyone else think the strike might actually be good? In that we will all realise how unnecessary many of those jobs are when after the strike the nation DOESNT grind to a halt. Mark
The secondary teachers are only picketing for 90 minutes this morning before hitting the shops and cafes. Wrap the red flag around me comrade and then we'll go for a cappuccino.
Unions claim to support the poor and weak, but do they? Social welfare recipients, those who have waited months for health appointments and students of schools for children with moderate learning difficulties are all fodder to their demands. Such hipocrochy! Hawkeye
This country cannot afford a welfare state or big wages. There r millions of chinese n indians willing 2 manufacture products 4 a fraction of the wages that obtain here. People need 2 realise how well off they r. MM
Very harsh Ivan! Jedward were so enjoyabl-ther's no reason 2watch XFactor anymor. Every1 takes themselves so seriously on that show+they wer a pleasant relief!
Typical response from cork city council - what a shambles . Hire and fit replacement pumps until main pump is repaired
Hopefully brian cowen will find time to thank the staff of corks mercy hospital who have worked night and day to keep the hospital running.
Send john gormley over to galway - the people of bandon really appreciated yesterdays photo opportunity. Tony o leary cork
Are people in cork with running water opening their homes to those without water to shower, wash clothes ect? Would be a nice gesture.
Any ideas 4 drying out a car that was caught in a river flood near ballinasloe got to go to cork 2day
It is good to hear that a current member of the FAS board, Niall Saul, is performing so professionally and seeing that the truth comes out. Donal, Dublin
Pity more people like that man are not running fas-he would sort it out. We need people like him to speak out and let us know what is happening.
The economy is sunk, now the country is sinking! Jim, Stillorgan
No water supply in douglas cork Derry Nash
Please give out the number of the first person who texts to say we should all relax because football is only a game. On nights like last night its so much more than a game. Heartbreaking stuff. Ma Maximus
Andy Reid would certainly have taken the last free kick better than McGeady! If we relying on set pieces how could we leave him out?
Ireland were hard done by, but don't agree with the theory that there was a bias against them. The world cup groups both in qualifying and at the finals are seeded and the ref had an easy opportunity to give a penalty to france.
Morning lads , thinking outside the box for a moment but maybe its a blessing , people wont be over borrowing to go to the world cup and in turn shorten the depression of our home economy , john wexford
Video evidence would not have helped? Check the match reports on FIFA.COM. They are the only reports in the world not to mention the handball. It seems no FIFA official saw anything wrong with the goal not even the FIFA reporters with access to a TV to see the replay. Colm
If u work in a fruit market u get to take home a bag of fruit as a perk. If you work in a bank you get to take home a big bag of money
We are in recession over a year now and we are still waiting for the gov to decide what they are going to do to get us out of berties legac
The irony is that if the aib guy received the extra pay of 133 the state would receive far more in tax and prsi rather than the just 12.5% in extra corporation tax with the increased profit!! Martin, dublin
The worst trauma most people experience is 2 lose a loved 1. 2 lose ur child is even worse. Pls pass on my heartfelt sympathy 2 that man and his family. Donall
The minister is right, monopolies become corrupt and useless just look at the FF monopoly over the past 20 years. Alan, Mullingar.
Politician in question answering shock! Well done Eamonn. Joe, Monaghan
Waffle, he will kill the economy. Let's all stay in bed and collect the dole!
Eamon stop dreaming. I cant pay bills. My husband not working since august just started 2 weeks ago getting 104 euro a week. I am care assist. In hse. I am on 550 a week take home. I have 4 children one with illness. We are f****d. I will take a pay cut but what about my mortgage from bos ireland . Help me and i will help you
Trade Unions' relationship with labour is their version of Fianna Fail's tent at the races. Voters beware! Alex
I never voted fiana fail but I will now.labour don't realise the mess we r in.respect!the public sector are grossly overpaid.
Business people i.e bankers and developers, have been running this country and we have been bankrupted as a result. From tom in dundrum.
Let them march until they have holes in their boots. They have no public support. The government have no reason to appease them
Could ivan be reminded that its not just teachers striking next week. Parents may also be striking in other jobs. I'm a secondary teacher. If people wanted our conditions why didn't they all join us? People saw d money and went for it. Tough luck folks. D gamble hasn't paid off. Now leave us alone. Paul in west cork.
Ivan. I'm paying tax out my ass. I'm private sector. I work my ass off. I get no pension. No job security. Didnt have it better in the boom. I get no value for my tax money. Bad health service, bad education service, no public transport etc. But i should pay more tax so that teachers can continue to earn huge money for a part time job? Give me a break. Their in lala land. Dave.
Typically out of touch judge. European law will never allow the death penalty re introduced. Brian.
Back on a diesel smelling train from drogheda to dublin. Bring back the bus service barry kenny!! People preffered the buses.
Message for Ivan and Claire,i am a public servant,living in Wexford,working in Dublin,overdrawn in my bank account,can't afford another pay cut,i need help!
Like alan i took a gamble last wk 2 make som money, i backed a horse and it lost, can i get my money back
We need the minister to help us get our money back from dubai banks and the dubai goverment
Clare and Ivan I listen to your programe every morning til 730. Its great to have wonderful news, for a change! Our local curate worked with Fr Sinnot 30 yrs ago in Dublin in homeless shelters! Its marvellous news.
The economy can only be improved through exports. Ireland, unlike Germany and the UK export cars. There is no economic argument for helping car dealers. Eoin in Galway.
Hi, simon cowell didn't save jedward. The public did. Glad 2 c them still there, wud be boring otherwise. Sharon
Perhaps parents insist on anti biotic because it cost 60 for visit and if they need to go back in few days with same child for anti biotic they ill be charged another 60 . Stephen
How come you've been banging on about the public service all morning yet the fact that aib are sticking two fingers to the government and wont appoint anyone to their top job other than one of their own cronies gets a one line mention in the business news! Not to mention the huge salary on offer. Bit of balance folks! Eileen
Another slight recession silver lining: the reappearance of petrol stations on sites previously set aside for apartments. Latest example to be seen at old ashurst site on the n11. Less travelling to fill the tank
Only a clown would take up a challenge to drink and drive in light of the fact that its thru drink that many people are killed on our roads, its a smack Eugene from cork
Pub carparks full at w ends drink driving a joke
I've never heard such rubbish in all my life! I'm sick of this "rural Ireland" excuse for drink driving. There is absolutely NO excuse for drink driving. I live in rural Ireland. I enjoy a drink. Do I drink and drive? Absolutely not. When will Irish people get it into their heads that it's possible to socialise and enjoy yourself without alcohol? ... Paul, Roscommon
As a father of two chldren delivered by the home birth team from Holles Street, one in hospital and one at home, I can say it is an utterly different experience to our first child's delivery in the conventional way in Holles Street, but I would totally echo the need for it to be thhtly controlled and monitored as the doctor said.
Hi claire & ivan, re protest 2day i am in public sector am not attending protest 2day & am resigning from my union impact because there has not been one face 2 face interaction with my union & i through any of this.
Ivan that has to be one of the funniest things youve said. "as you know ive a fetish for the glass bottles site" Hilarious ! Barry im navan
I m sorry but what has negative equity got to do with losing a days pay? Either they can pay for their mortgage or they cant. The actual market value of the property is irrelevant. Brian glasnevin
If the banks are so important and have such a hold on the country then the state should own then. Simple as that. Denis in tallaght
Im a junior hospital doctor and in general yur txt about hospital hygiene is correct. Nowadays hospital cleaning is contracted out to contract cleaning companies. In the old days this was the responsibility of dictator style nurses and nuns. But at least they knew what clean meant....
I live on an estate where the builder has gone bust. The "bond" he paid was just €10,000. The rough dirt road alone will cost the new residents committee €70,000 to tarmac. The council dont want to know about us and wont finish the work or even hand over the €10000 bond to pay for some of the work.
Labour county councilors were as much responsible 4 the crazy rezoning as anyone that caused housing schemes 2 b built in unsuitable places. Pat, blessington.
The gov say Unions are delusional, well they themselves are delusional to believe tax cannot be changed, it must, now, Luke
I don't understand why the media is making such a big deal about the liquid drugs story. Yes, it is terrible that 3 people are in hospital due to it but they are probably hundreds and houndreds of people who are forced into casualty every weekend because of drink . Every weekend more than 3 people die from drink yet this doesn't ever make the news! S
Typical news talk. supporting cuts to public sector. What average worker in public sector is on bonuses, none. a biased into by ivan yet again
Wish the unions would get a grip. Stop saying they have taken pay cut with pension levy when it has in reality just brought them to the real world of paying the same as every other worker who pay for their own pension.
Claire, the teachers and all other public sector didnt have 7.5% taken from their pockets, it was a pension levy and is gets full tax and prsi relief. Vincent in swords
I have MS and government advice says I am in the high risk group. However my neurologist and MS advise groups say this is wrong. Can you square this? Comor, blackrock
I was at knock yesterday and i seen 3 hail marys in the sky! Mary harney appeared in an aer corp helicopter headin to castlebar to open an off liscence. Mary coughlan broke through the clouds on the government jet headin to donegal for the sunday roast and lo and behold mary o roarke appeared from behind a black cloud in a hot air baloon and all the miracles from the bertie book of revelations were laid bare. Mat athlone
Claire re retailing standrds is it just me but I hate shop assistnts hasslin me in stores? Let us browse in peace ! Eamonn in Wicklow
I thought we could make a profit on nama. Are they now saying we can only ever break even? Surly not? Jesus wept this is unreal. Niall dublin.
Its ironic that they take 3 months off in the summer and then seem delighted with themselves when they debate till 5 am. Liam
Hi guys, i was unhappy with the tainiste this week, she came out and said we should all shop down south instead of going up north this christmas, without offering any reason why...shops down here are slow to change prices, so i don't think there's a logical reason to shop down here. What do u think? Mike
How can Mary Coughlan ask consumers to shop here when the government has cut the pay of 350,000 public servants and want to cut more . If you slash their pay they have to search for better value elsewhere. Cutting public sector pay has cost jobs and increased the dole numbers.
Claire I recently got married. I went to a retailer in Liffey alley and picked the rings. I went to the same retailers store in newry and saved 900 euro on the exact same rings from the exact same retailer. I'd like the tanaiste to explain that!
We go to NEWRY every 8 weeks and spend around : £1500. We've had a pension levy and large mortgage.its the only way we can survive.
Hi was in Enniskillen on Monday and 90% of cars in Asda carpark was from republic. Driving out of town 2/3 of cars into the town from republic. We saved 40% on Irish prices on the shop. Ex berocca tablets in Asda 2 euros per tub in local chemist 10 euros per tub.
Ive no probs going up north. Im getting 3 crowns, 2 fillings and polish on teeth in the north. Cost £1100. Here cost €2600! Alicia tipp
Irish back benchers confirm their status as ignorant, short sighted appeasers of vested interests. Mark dublin 8
Lads there are no people on the apprentice who deserve to stay beyond this week. no cop on or street smarts. Emmet
Claire/Ivan, Are you sure that's what Mattie McGrath actually said? To be honest, I didn't understand a single word of what he said in that clip! I thought he was actually commenting on Liverpool beating Man Utd. on Sunday! - Paul, Roscommon
Maybe its time 2 Privatise the prison service. Its worked in the UK, France & Germany. Paddy, Cork.

The drink driving laws are being changed to come into lime with europe. That's what we get for voting yes for lisbon - niall


Claire, their is forced incentives for prison officers to take sick leave through a system of actually pre determined rostered sick leave days for prison officers where no illness is present whatsoever - its become a 'hidden' perk of the job. Its a disgrace, we are paying for this situation! Sick of the 'not in my back garden attitude'. The country is recked.

Clare / ivan, what is the exact percentage of people in the public service under 35k? How does that compare to the intels, the newstalks of the world


Totally agree with simon...not able 2 say anything about immigrants without being called racist
Thats colonialism. And the brits have done it all over the world.
Nick griffin regularly holidays in west cork where he has a holiday home.gerry bray.
I wonder, will Newstalk read all the comments or just the ones against the BNP? Reporter: is he not supposed to be impartial?
Alex White correctly pointed out that child benifit is really nothing more than a general income subsidy to people with children. If it clearly is not functioning the way it is meant to then surely it has to be refocused back on children that it will actually make a difference to.Pat
Hi im Listening to your show and your talking about child benefit cut.im a single mother living in a council house supporting my my 7 year old son on my own.i have bills to pay on my own an im working but still i struggle.i agree there taking it from the wrong people.its good to know we get your support keep it up and spread the word it might just help.debbie
The real elephant n the room is politician's pensions while receiving salary. Its a scandal. Why is it not being discussed n the media. C.j.
On child benifit. Anyone earning over 50 thousand euro a year should immediately be cut off. Easy and sorted. Mick dublin.
Im a public servent. Already im cutting back my weekly spend. Further cuts will hurt local business hurting the economy further. Dan.
Claire re Nick Griffin So much fr free speech....ie so long as u agree with me typical jack booted liberalism ! Eamonn in Wicklow
In 10 years public service. 2 days certifed sick leave. Brian swords
Newstalk? Sounds more like fox news with bogger accents
Admit it ivan you're getting old and rusty.
Ivan, your continuing attacks on the public service are disgraceful. You are making the ASSUMPTION that people are taking illegal sick days. The debate u shud be having is,why is this recession being used to erode workers rights?
Lower social welfare will force people out to work. Where are the jobs? patrick Dublin

I have a friend who doesn't want to claim the dole since he has been made redundant as he has enough savings to see him through for a good while. He was told he has to or he will lose his PSRI entitlement. Crazy or what? Gillian


Im sick of this whinging about people getting less money for doing nothing. Im workin my butt off and im down 10% this year already with more cuts to come.
Great idea cutting dole in half.Dole should not keep people in a particular lifestyle.Sustain them yes but not be able to hit the shops at our expense
Guys i have a 21 old brother who wont work in spars or fast food outlets. He thinks hes to good for that kind of work. This dole cut will push him to work, i think alot of these celtic tiger pups need a kick in the back side, the party is over
Fraud is rife Im social welfare. I could name At least 100 co-habiting single mothers in my town. Gavin kildare
Stop crying doran look at food supply security this time next year when the farmers will not be in existance
Liam doran is right. The ordinary worker is being victimised in every way. Whether they are in the public or the private service.. The fat cats get ri elderly or anybody in between.. Fancy talk and no action.. No accountabiliy.. John, rathgar
Claire, doesn't last nights ff meeting say it all bout what our tds consider important. It's an absolute discrace. Sack the lot of them!!! Frank d
Isn't is pathetic that at a time when the country is in crisis due to this Government's utter incompetence, minor reductions in drink driving limits is what exercises these clowns - many of whom are publicans. As Bob Geldof put it many years ago, 'Banana republic, septic isle'. JJ, Dublin
If the government cut my pay can i cut my mortgage repayments??? A pissd off public servant
Reports show accidents not caused by people with level between 50 80

Cant people understand that you dont need to drink to have a night out. People wake up. Luke


I dont drink myself and live in a town so I have no vested interest. The limit is low enough just enforce it. Once again we are using a sledge hammer to crack a nut .....and missing when we dont put the resources in place to see a policy through.


Is the ibec man crazy? Bank wages and prices are going up. Why should a teacher consider the national interest when the banks and bank workers won't? The banks are bankrupt let them feel that pain then we might be able to discuss public finances.
How many of the public servants who failed Catherine will be out on strike in November looking for better pay? Colm
Maybe not pay cuts but the public sector will have to contribute in some way like the rest of have had to do. Brian
Hi claire, was appalled to hear catherine and kids awful story yesterday hopfully she and kids can live in peace now, i,m sickened to be irish knowing the people in charge allowed this animal to get away with this.
Nothin will change here until the 400mil a wk we ar borrowin 2 maintain our standard of living is cut off and make no mistake it will be
Why are public sector expected to foot the bill AGAIN? Why not raise taxes so that everyone chips in?
At the end of the day, if ur go n out and driven u do not need to drink.
Its not just me, but my (teetotaler) wife says my driving is better and I am a lot more careful after (ONE) pint. I ALWAYS stay below 80 mg.
It is the "family oriented" pub that from my observations makes its money from those sad old men who drink from the time the pub opens until it closes. Cannot believe that backbencher. Charles
Hi Claire, drink driving is a big prob,but surely da amount of accidents due to drugs must b fairly big + we seem to have no stats for dat. Regards brian
It doesn't really matter what the legal limit for drinking is as the law is not enforced. To save lives we need the gardai out implementing the law.
The idea that ANY amount of drink, however small, is ok before driving is utterly appalling. This is an area where ZERO TOLERANCE should be rigidly adhered to and enforced. If you're planning on driving, don't drink! End of story! Deputy Kelly and his cohorts should be ashamed of themselves. - Sean
They're trying to start a mexican wave at croker. Kill me. Wayne in the canal lower
I'm a fan of Dunphy, but his comments the other night smacked of pantomime villain playing to the crowd (in cork accent) he likes himself a small bit boy (Paul, Cork)
Reckon Ken needs to use one of the Gillette packs you used to give away and shave his ears! Chumba in Cork
Sometimes its the family and external family that is the problem. No Baby P's please. Tara in Offaly.
"Who knows where we'll be in 10 years" - Claire
I think Ireland can do it - Jimmy via txt
Pat from Kerry txted in that he loved the show.
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Photos

Tom meets Henry RollinsGordon Ramsay - Newstalk November 2009George with Mary Buckley, North America Director of the IDA, and Eric C. Green, Chief Executive of Coviden, an American healthcare company that employs over 2,000 people in Ireland.George with Rick Shaffer, host of The Money Show on Boston's WTKK 96.9.George and guests discussing Boston's approach to tackling drink driving.George talks to Victoria Jones of Talk Radio News while broadcasting from Washington DC for the Inauguration of Barack ObamaEamon with charity founder Adi Roche and Ali Hewson, wife of Bono who were highlighting the anniversary of the Chernobyl disasterBrian Dowling (Big Brother) and Jennifer Maguire (The Apprentice UK) presenting MoncrieffBallinasloe Moncrieff OB Dec 09Henry as JedwardMoncrieff meets Mr Tayto & Frank KellyPatrons celebrating at the Boothouse Bar in Cork which won the Newstalk Best Local 2009 competition

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