Mick Mac

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barry road barbers is great. Just get sean the barber started on ryan air. He is funny. Always offers a beer and always say no. Timothy spall goes there so next time you are there ask for a TS. Its the new Purdy.

Thanks - I'm sure the teachers were disappointed with a satisfactory rating. I think they were expecting better. But nevertheless they have to learn from it.

Clare - sounds like you have had a party and been so drunk you have forgotten all about it.

I guess so.

Prompted by the education debate under "Budget" as regards State v Public schools, it has made me think what the general concensus is as regards the quality, or lack thereof, of the education at Goodrich School. It received only a "satisfactory" OFSTED report recently but that I guess means it is neither good nor bad. I take my wifes advice on this as she knows the school better than me, but I'd like to know of others experiences. And my eldest daughter is 6 - we hear of people moving from ED because of the lack of secondary school options. Are there any good state secondary schools in the area for girls, as we would be reluctant to move. Thanks.

Well done David - I was not aware you were out of work - sorry - but glad to hear you are back in employment.

Thanks candj - my economics is very low level, but nice to have someone agree with me, does not happen very often.

All governments of the world are in debt, but lots of people remain wealthy and invest in Government bonds. Governments always have debt to top up the tax take. If you default on government debt you will not be able to raise money in the future. Russia defaulted on its debt thoughh, so who knows.

HaHahahahahahahahaha

They borrow money from investors, here and abroad, in the form of government bonds. The more they issue. The more they owe. Some governments may be unable to guaranteee repayment of their bonds to investors eg Ireland.

unlike me, my father was an honourable man who rarely drank. He did not have a hat. He did however have a gardening jumper and i now have one of those in brian clough green. Makes me feel the part.

Matt123 - Celtic in the Premiership would be fantastic for me - great to see them in London against Arsenal, Spurs, Chelsea. Not sure the UEFA decision will extend to Dutch teams etc, Celtic and Rangers are on the same island. Would also be great to see the English clubs and support come to Paradise. TLS knows where Paradise is - and he's an ex bookie - what a man!

or spring... Don't you dare disagree with me red devil - this is my finest hour - i am trying to be my dad.

Aisling - I am 41 and begining to show an interest in the type of thing my Dad used to know about. I bought a new house 3 years ago and dug up my old lawn last year, applied top soil and bought and laid new turf. If you don't fancy that - you need to 1) extract weeds pulling by the roots etc 2) hollow tine whole lawn (or spike with pitch fork will do) 3) scarify - rake top level of thatch off with heavy rake - do this harshly in patchy areas - remove thatch from lawn 4) top dress your lawn - apply a top dressing - a top soil/sand mix from garden centre - brush this into lawn with heavy brush, you should be able to see existing grass clearly so it continues to grow. The scarifying and top dressing should create a suitable base for new seeds to grow. 5) overseed - apply grass seed over whole area concentrating on patcy areas. 6) water if needed and mow at high level only, after 3 weeks, until new grasses established. I am a complete newcomer to this last year but have read lots about it - have just done steps 1-6 on my lawn - its hard work but I hope for good results soon. Good luck - hope it works out and send us the pictures if it looks good come summer. Mick.

i would only expect fresh opened shells. People are suspicious of half shells as we are not sure they were alive and opened on cooking.so half shells are not good. There is a big opportunity for quality food in ed so aim high and you will be rewarded.

keef. Id suggest significantly fewer people get to go to uni and the savings would fund means tested grants for tuition and subsistence. Currently poor students are put off by the huge debts they foresee on leaving.

No fighting on the golf course.....

They have a beneficial system for non Irish domiciliaires, resident in Ireland but not Irish, which may well not change even if taxes go up. Anyway Ireland is only one option, there are many others. We will lose high quality people, most people seem to accept that. Some say good riddance, I think its bad for the country.

That's missing the point - they still have a lower tax base.

International companies can base themselves in Ireland without depending on the Irish economy. Internationally mobile employees are the same.

Well said Keef - he is a quality player and has an excellent record at club and international level. He was good enough for Liverpool but Rafa did not want him. Given a run in the team I feel he would have been a success, he scored a couple of good goals, was hitting real form and then was dropped / messed around.

I'd agree with all your suggestions MM - I think we pay too much money into the NHS and public sector pensions are too generous. I would not cut back on primary and secondary education but would cut back on university education - its open to too many people and devalues university degrees. Going back to some earlier points: I'd agree with the Spectator article, we will drive away some wealth creators. Labour is now reverting to a party of tax and spend. I thought that was gone for good. Casper - I agree. I can't quite believe Labour have done this - they keep shooting themselves in the foot on tax. Sean - as you probably know many UK companies have moved to Ireland over the last few years to avoid UK corporation taxes. More money leaving the economy. These personal tax increases only make Ireland look more attractive, along with many other jurisdictions - these countries employ people to go to conferences selling their country's tax advantages to high earners, they actively promote the idea and people will be more willing to move now.

Is this a golf thread? Can I swing along? Jeez - its 1.32 and I have work tomoz. bye.

I missed it again Tommy (having trouble typing now, my big night out for this week was tonight...) but I will catch up soon - Philip seems a cool guy..don't tell me who was "outed".