How so convenient is this Nice coincidence

COINCIDENCE and convenience are comfortable bed fellows. It’s just a coincidence that farmers will be getting EU subsidy payments of more than €500 million just three days before the Nice Referendum.

But isn’t it convenient that the wonders of the European Union will be so graphically illustrated at this crucial time. Perhaps the cheques could be delivered by Fianna Fáil backbenchers in person as they’re supposed to be knocking on doors anyway seeking a Yes to Nice.

Equally, the contentious plan for the development of the regions for the next 20 years will conveniently not be published until after the Nice date. As the Government’s plans for the decentralisation of up to 10,000 civil servants are dependent upon the strategy’s proposals, that report is also being kept quiet.