Wake-up call for Minister Hogan

Dear Big Phil, I write this letter to you in the faint hope that you would give me a straight answer without any spin or, shall we say, “uisce faoi thalamh”.

We are extremely fortunate to live in a beautiful part of rural North Kerry, two miles from Abbeydorney village. As part of the political class, for the past number of years you have been part of a political culture that has stood over the closure of railways, creameries, small shops, post offices and Garda stations. I and approximately 1.3 million people like me, rustics, if your Kilkenny brain can get around that word, are also confined to our homes at night for no longer can we go for a pint, or a game of cards, meet our friends or even discuss the quite amazing cock-up you and your ilk are making of this country. You were on national radio at the weekend with your usual arrogance and bullyboy tactics threatening to change the data protection laws to get access to names and addresses of us mere rustics so you can grab your household levy.

I have a little message for you and the Data Commissioner.