This is my message to the Minister for Finance, Michael Noonan, in advance of the Budget.

Johns Smith’s Bookshop in UCC will close its doors on Friday, November 21.

I am frustrated with the sub-standard public transport in Cork. On Tuesday, after a business meeting at the Airport Business Park, I waited for a bus. When it did not arrive on time, I called the office of the service provider to enquire as to why not.

Reading extracts from Ivan Yates’ autobiography brought back unpleasant memories of my own boarding school years, from 1958 to 1969. As Ivan says, the ethos of the boarding school, back then, and its treatment of small boys, seems incredible by today’s standards. The worst aspect of it was the constant fear.

Joan Burton’s outburst about “extremely expensive phones and cameras” proves two things: Labour under Burton will be no different to Labour under Eamon Gilmore; the Government thinks the Irish people are not poor enough.

The Irish Examiner (October 6) noted that incidences of hepatitis and HIV reduced following the introduction of needle exchange programmes for drug addicts in Cork. This pattern is to be expected in areas of high drug-user density.

The minimum wage became law in 2000. Eleven years elapsed before the Government capped the pay of senior civil servants at €200,000 per year. The income distribution statistics for 2011, compiled by the Revenue Commissioners, make interesting reading. Half of all taxpayers accounted for one-fifth of gross incomes.

The water-charge controversy seems to be coming to a head. Public protests are gathering momentum and could be the ‘watershed’, (excuse the pun) the way to get the message to this government that enough is enough.

Farewell Donal Óg and thank you for your excellent articles over the past championship season. I hope you will continue where you left off next season even though at times I disagree with some of your thoughts.

The power of the media in influencing our political attitudes will be measured by the survival or non-survival of the Taoiseach between now and the next general election.