THERE’s a consensus beginning to develop, and I think it’s condescending, patronising, and maybe even a bit dangerous.

I’M sure there isn’t a word of truth in any of the following. But whatever does happen in 2004, I wish all of you a happy and peaceful new year.

HE was a hard-working boy, Bertie, but dull. As an apprentice he was reliable, always willing to agree with others.

THE Celtic Tiger has teeth still, if the crowds on Grafton Street and Henry Street, in Dublin, are a measure.

THEY say that the best fish and chips are wrapped in a quality newspaper. Last week’s Budget was like a particularly greasy cod and chips wrapped in a glossy magazine (with a large emphasis on the cod).

YOU know the way we become immune to things — even tragedies fail to move us when they are piled up over time. We become hardened and desensitised.

THE Taoiseach has summoned the Disability Legislation Consultative Group (DLCG) to a meeting in his office late next Friday afternoon.

SHOULD probably begin with a small apology to diligent readers. If you followed my instructions of last week, you’d have found the horsey money in the book of estimates, exactly where I said it was.

‘THE next logical step was to put horse-racing’s finances on a permanent footing. If that is not done, racing will be at the whim of the Government of the day and, when the pressure comes for expenditure on things like health and education, racing will go down the political priorities list.”