It is a small curiosity that the same solution has been proposed for more or less all of the great, intractable sporting problems of our time.

DEMANDS to “call the bluff” of sitting TDs who insist on claiming ministerial pensions by banning the practice outright have been strongly rejected by Taoiseach Brian Cowen.

DEMANDS for Charlie McCreevy to be removed from his post as Internal Market Commissioner were made in the European Parliament.