I WAS sitting on a Bus Éireann bus at the far western fringes of the island one rainy summer’s night when I woman got on. She sat at the front of the bus, chatting to the driver and to the only other customer on the bus.

SO WE’VE had a few days of sunshine and we’re telling ourselves the fodder crisis is over.

I FEEL sick and helpless after reading the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill. This ridiculous legislation is likely to be on the statute books by the summer and I know I can do nothing about it.

IT was Nov 16, 1994, and I was so excited that I made an excuse to get off work and cycled home to watch telly. There was a motion of “no confidence” in Fianna Fáil Taoiseach Albert Reynolds amid controversy relating to his appointment of Harry Whelehan as President of the High Court.

I KNOW the judges have a beef with Justice Minister Alan Shatter, but my problem is fudge.

IMAGINE the scene. The troika is finally going home. There’s a deputation wrapped in Tricolours seeing them off at the airport singing, “We’re the best small country in the world in which to do business” in part harmony.

RYE? Sourdough? Pumpernickel?”

THE MINUTE I got into the taxi I could see by the way the back of his head was dug into his shoulders that he was a disgruntled taxi driver from central casting.

WHY the silence?

I’M sure I wasn’t the only woman who shuddered when she heard that Waterford Regional Hospital had sought a court order to compel a pregnant woman to have a caesarean section last Saturday.