Water crisis - Pragmatism must replace delusion

LIKE many instructive nuggets that give figures primacy over stories, the one about where adaptability and stubbornness meet — “When the facts change, I change my mind. What do you do, sir?” — is attributed to several fathers. The economist John Maynard Keynes is generally, but not always, regarded as its source. It is a neat summation of the inevitable dilemma when a Titanic of opinion meets the iceberg of reality. The outcome is inevitable and the down-to-brass-tacks questions include how long will it be before the ship sinks and how many unfortunate passengers will be lost in the icy seas.

Mr Keynes’ acceptance that circumstances change, especially if decisions are made in anger, may inform an Irish optimism that dare not speak its name — the hope that Brexit might not proceed. As Britain struggles to define its intentions, we, in our heart of hearts, hope that particular Titanic changes course before it crashes into the looming