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Opinion Farmers should support the Green Party - and secretly some of them probably do

Farming needs to become sustainable to survive and most farmers don’t want to damage the natural world, writes Ray Foley.

AN RTE EXIT poll after the European elections found that not a single farmer admitted to voting for Green Party MEP hopeful, Saoirse McHugh, who ran in the Midlands-North-West constituency.

Achill island native McHugh holds a masters degree in sustainable agriculture and food security. She made the plight of small farmers a central theme of her election campaign. 

In line with Green Party policy, McHugh’s intention is not to admonish this way of life. She wants to make it sustainable.

In recent years the word ‘sustainable’ has been misused to the point where it is at risk of losing all meaning.

It is defined as the ability to repeat the same actions in perpetuity without suffering losses. Irish agriculture is not in that space at the moment. 

Even if we ignore the fact that our agricultural practices are the main driver of water quality problems, that cattle farming accounts for an overwhelming proportion of our greenhouse gas emissions and that farming is one of the primary causes of biodiversity loss.

The sustainability deficit in Irish agriculture runs even deeper than all of those issues. 

The economy, stupid.

I live in west Clare. The ground is wet and suckler beef is the only game in town. Nobody is getting rich off the land out here.

Take away the single farm payment and farmers would be operating at a five percent deficit. The wife of a local farmer recently described their fifty acres as the most expensive hobby a person could have. 

Another local told me he regularly brings cattle back from the mart because the prices are so appalling. Most of my neighbouring farmers are on the verge of retirement and the younger ones are all working second jobs.

Throw Brexit in the mix and all bets for the future are off.

But what about the dairy farmers – aren’t they doing alright? There is no doubt that since the abolition of quotas, they are making money.

But that expansion comes at a high cost. On a personal level, it is a very demanding lifestyle. On top of that many farmers have invested heavily and their ability to make their repayments are now dependent on the vagaries of global markets.

A combination of these factors means that working the land is no longer an enticing option for a new generation. More than a few dairy farmers I know have no heirs who are interested in taking on the farm – even when they are profitable enterprises.

On more marginal land the inheritance issue is a full-on crisis. Farmers have become victims of their own selfless desire to see their children educated to a standard much higher than they received.

Now, these young engineers, doctors, and teachers are living away and although they may love the farm, many won’t be coming back.

Increasingly working alone, being socially isolated, under financial pressure and worrying about paperwork and inspections have come to define farming in Ireland.

Those bleak assertions are not my opinions. Farmers themselves are shouting them from the rooftops.

Closet Greens

Economic incentives and bad advice have led many farmers away from their natural position as custodians of the land. However, a deep connection to nature remains.

Most would be very uncomfortable with the idea that what they are doing is damaging to the natural world. The constant media criticism compounds this sense of discomfort.

Farmers value certain traits in one another. Hard work, productivity and efficiency for example. Conversely, there is little social capital to be gained from appearing to care about the natural world.

This is an ironic situation given that the basic prerequisites to effective farming – stable climate, healthy soil, clean air, water – align with those of healthy ecosystems.

There is a latent interest in nature but one which has been obfuscated to the point of taboo. I spoke to a dairy farmer and entomologist from north Tipperary.

He told me insects and flowers are not a topic one would bring up in conversation at the mart but that he would often be pulled aside by individual farmers with a picture on their phone of an insect or butterfly saying  “C’mere John, I’ve not seen this one before. What in the name of God is it?”

In another example, a dairy farmer recently turned down an opportunity, to have his work on promoting biodiversity acknowledged, due to concern about the perception of his peers. 

What the Greens really want?

The Green Party’s unpopularity among the farming community could be attributed to perceptions that they don’t understand rural life and a fear that they may pose an existential threat to it.

At present, the farming community feels better served by Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael. There is some logic to this, in recent decades these parties have overseen exponential growth in output from Irish farms – but at what cost?

Socially, environmentally and economically the model looks increasingly broken.

The Greens suggest a different approach. Their agriculture policy aims to create viable on-farm livelihoods, support intergenerational farming and achieve better prices by emphasising quality over quantity.

They would like to see farmers diversify their activities to create resilience and they support additional payments to farmers who improve environmental outcomes. 

In broader terms, they want to stabilise our climate, protect our waterways and air quality and ensure our soils remains productive. These are ambitions that most farmers could get behind.

Of course, the Greens protest too. They decry the degradation on waterways, the loss of habitats and the declining bird and insect life.

Many of these issues are symptoms of intensification required to sustain the stack ‘em high, sell ‘em cheap model endorsed by successive governments.

The Greens are careful not to blame individual farmers and instead point the finger towards the system within which they operate

Could farmers have told exit pollsters little green lies?

Most farmers will tell you that while farming is a difficult occupation they wouldn’t change their job. It is a unique vocation.

For farmers, it offers a diverse working life and a rare connection with the great outdoors. For the rest of us, it puts food on the table.

Family farms really are the beating heart of rural Ireland. It would be a great shame if the next generation of children is excluded from this tradition.

At local election level, there are hints that perceptions of the Greens are changing.

The party succeeded in getting a number of local councilors elected in rural heartlands of Ireland including Roisin Garvey in North Clare, Pippa Hackett in Offaly and Alastair McKinstry in Connemara.

It is unlikely that those rural seats could have been won without the support of at least some farmers.  

Ray Foley works for an Irish environmental NGO. He is not a member of the Green Party.

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    Mute Lurfic
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    Mar 19th 2020, 5:28 PM

    A 20-30% drop? From what I’ve seen it’s more like 20-30% are still using public transport.

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    Mute Henri Poincaré
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    Mar 19th 2020, 6:53 PM

    @Lurfic: it’s badly written. It says it has fallen TO between 25% and 30%.
    I would read that as a 70% – 75% fall

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    Mute Peter Hughes
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    Mar 19th 2020, 7:05 PM

    @Lurfic: How can you keep apart on public transport…..you would want to be insane to use it but some have no choice.

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    Mute David Jordan
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    Mar 19th 2020, 7:05 PM

    @Lurfic: 400,000 people used Dublin bus a day last week, 80,000 to 120,000 now if your numbers are correct. This virus commonly spreads by touching contaminated surfaces.

    There’s a famous case of a Dr who visited Hong Kong during the SARS outbreak in 2002-03. Stayed at a hotel, 11 people on the same floor got sick because they touched the same lift buttons.

    https://www.cnbc.com/2020/02/14/hong-kong-hotel-hosted-super-spreader-in-the-2003-sars-outbreak.html

    “Whenever an individual makes contact with a surface, there is an exchange of microbial life, including a transfer of viruses from the individual to the surface and vice-versa.” Dietz et al., 2020

    Public transport, especially Buses, are potentially a huge cause of infection because so many people touch the same surfaces each day.

    I also say wrong advice given about dentists by the government today.

    Ref.:

    Dietz, L., Horve, P.F., Coil, D., Fretz, M. & Wymelenberg, K.V.D. 2020. 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Outbreak: A Review of the Current Literature and Built Environment (BE) Considerations to Reduce Transmission, https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202003.0197.v1

    Jan. 23: Public transport on buses, trains and ferries in Wuhan are suspended from 10 a.m. local time to help prevent the spread of the virus.

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    Mute Bobby wilson
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    Mar 19th 2020, 5:27 PM

    Good! less amount of people in close contact on public transport the better!

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    Mute Whoswho
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    Mar 19th 2020, 6:04 PM

    @Bobby wilson: And so they should continue! Most people are continuing. And there the ones who plan on cutting down historic trees and robbing peoples front gardens

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    Mute
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    Mar 19th 2020, 6:15 PM

    @Whoswho:

    Let’s get a grip here. In the last 2 weeks more people have been killed in traffic accidents than from COVID19. If we’re talking respiratory issues, there’s a direct correlation between the number of cars in Dublin and the number of children with asthma, other respiratory issues have been on the rise for quite some time too.

    Fewer cars on the roads is better for us overall, buses aren’t the enemy here.

    COVID19 is serious, and avoiding public transport right now is sensible, but this isn’t a normal situation and basing our transport policy purely on the events of these months is foolish.

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    Mute Peter Hughes
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    Mar 19th 2020, 7:06 PM

    @: OK you hop on a bus without a mask that actually works and see how you get on……this is only starting when it gets going it will be carnage.

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    Mute
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    Mar 19th 2020, 10:18 PM

    @Peter Hughes:

    Lad, I literally just said avoiding public transport right now is sensible. I’m saying we shouldn’t base our future transport policy on a once-a-century event.

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    Mute Sam Greene
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    Mar 20th 2020, 1:20 AM

    U really have some sort of anti car agenda dont u. I’ve seen u on other posts and it always the same copy and paste remark.
    The last post I read ur comments was where a young lad had died in a car in Clare. U turned that into a rant about jailing drivers who are polluting Dublin. Go away will ya, people like u with their little agendas, ur transparent.

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    Mute
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    Mar 20th 2020, 4:48 PM

    @Sam Greene:

    Opinions? In the comments section? Inconceivable!

    And no the comment was that people who kill people with their cars should be jailed. Not exactly a radical idea.

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    Mute Colette Kearns
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    Mar 19th 2020, 5:28 PM

    Probably because most of Dublin is closed down & also good to see people are keeping their distance when they can!

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    Mute
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    Mar 19th 2020, 5:33 PM

    Surely running a full service puts transport workers health at risk ?

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    Mute Ashling Fenton
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    Mar 19th 2020, 5:51 PM

    Less transport would mean more people in the one bus/tram/train.

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    Mute Nicola McClurg
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    Mar 19th 2020, 6:19 PM

    Particulary those with underlying health conditions.

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    Mute Daragh Cassidy
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    Mar 19th 2020, 6:42 PM

    @Ashling Fenton: Exactly – running fewer buses and trains would be ridiculous at this stage.

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    Mute thomas patrick
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    Mar 19th 2020, 5:29 PM

    in other news…. when the sun goes down….. it gets dark

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    Mute Todd Unctuous
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    Mar 19th 2020, 5:32 PM

    @thomas patrick: not if you turn the lights on

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    Mute David A. Murray
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    Mar 19th 2020, 5:28 PM

    Portlaoise to Heuston train this week has been nearly empty in mornings. Some people still managed to be less than 2 metres away, with plenty of seats available.

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    Mute alan scott
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    Mar 19th 2020, 5:43 PM

    All public transport should have hand sanitizer on them. I saw a Dublin bus today and people on it and NO social distancing. We need to temperley suspend public transport otherwise this will spread like wildfire.

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    Mute Fiona Fitzgerald
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    Mar 19th 2020, 5:55 PM

    @alan scott: How exactly are people to get to clinics, hospitals and their necessary services without public transport? It could well come down to walking because people don’t have the fare, but if they have no choices, and need to buy food, or medicines, that is what public transport is for.

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    Mute alan scott
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    Mar 19th 2020, 6:06 PM

    @Fiona Fitzgerald: well i don’t see many people using public transport do you? and what is wrong with cars, don’t say people dont have cars, (neighbor’s can help out also that is looking out for the elderly message is for) a lot of volunteer organisations for which I’m part of are standing by FOR THIS REASON!!!!. You make yourself look silly with your comment goodbye. Stay safe

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    Mute Fr. Fintan Stack
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    Mar 19th 2020, 6:44 PM

    @alan scott: Yeah, good idea. You can fit at least 4 people in to a car!!!!

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    Mute Mark Mulligan
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    Mar 19th 2020, 7:12 PM

    @alan scott: and please explain to me how you’re supposed to keep 2 metres away from your neighbour/family member/friend if they give you a lift? Hop in the boot?? Cop on will ya, not everyone has the luxury of having someone that can help like that at a moments notice.

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    Mute Veronica
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    Mar 19th 2020, 7:22 PM

    @alan scott: we all don’t have cars some of us depend on public transport..

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    Mute alan scott
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    Mar 19th 2020, 7:51 PM

    @Mark Mulligan: there is lots of frontline and volunteer organisations the irish red cross, st John’s, order of malta are standing by to help those in need, getting groceries, prescriptions, hospital visit etc. They are standing by to help free of charge. We will have face mask, gloves, face shield, and apron so the risk is low for us to get infected or likewise for them. Its better then been on Dublin bus where every day a junkie is injecting themselves or snorting something.

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    Mute alan scott
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    Mar 19th 2020, 8:02 PM

    @Fr. Fintan Stack: according to rte news 75% in drop on public transport. I dont mean to across as been insensitive but people are been selfish by going on public transport where they are sitting in close proximity to each other when they know the risk is to high to travel on public transport. I dont think I have to get to work or il get sacked if I dont turn up is going to work with this virus. Many people are working from home including me, this is not going to easy but my health and others is more important.

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    Mute Fr. Fintan Stack
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    Mar 19th 2020, 8:28 PM

    @alan scott: People working on the front line in supermarkets, hospitals, surgeries, haulage, maintenance teams, etc. can’t work from home. The 25% still need to get to work or society will completely shut down. We cant just pack them off in to car sharing for obvious reasons. Public transport isn’t ideal but its better than the alternative.

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    Mute Mark Mulligan
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    Mar 19th 2020, 8:34 PM

    @alan scott: OK, so how many staff have they got versus how many people require their assistance?? There’s not enough to help everyone and that’s why we still need a transport system in place for those who are mobile and still able to use it! As a bus driver I’d love to know what bus or busses you get that you see masses of drug taking. Have you reported it to the driver? The guards? Or do you pretend it doesn’t happen and hopefully it’ll go away

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    Mute alan scott
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    Mar 19th 2020, 9:07 PM

    @Mark Mulligan: you have a point not all the time but it does happen. And I have reported it to both guards and the driver. I drive also so 85% of times I have to go somewhere I drive, maybe i dont see it from the point of view of people who use public transport as a necessity but from a hygiene point of view public transport in ireland and esp Dublin leaves much to be desired. Good day

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    Mute Sam Greene
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    Mar 20th 2020, 1:26 AM

    @alan scott: now ur just being silly. Those services couldnt possibly cover all the people who would need their support if buses were not running. But people should defo be sitting apart and wear gloves so as not to touch the surfaces, poles ect on buses.

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    Mute Gary Kearney
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    Mar 20th 2020, 3:30 PM

    @alan scott: That goes against all the best advice worldwide. Some people must use public transport.

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    Mute Gary Kearney
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    Mar 20th 2020, 3:33 PM

    @alan scott: You can drive not all of us can for various reasons. Some people need to travel and you are ignoring that.

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    Mute Mark
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    Mar 19th 2020, 5:29 PM

    No implementation of social distancing on transport yet.

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    Mute Nicola McClurg
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    Mar 19th 2020, 6:18 PM

    @Mark: my husband is a transport worker. They’ve only been given hand sanitizer. He is asking passengers to board at the front door only and disembark by centre doors. He said there are very few using public transport, but as long as people are working the NTA will provide a service. He also has an underlying health condition, I’m worried he might bring this virus into our home.

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    Mute Veronica
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    Mar 19th 2020, 7:21 PM

    @Nicola McClurg: A Bus Eireann driver i know told me all they were given were baby wipes no hand sanatizer no gloves.. Crazy way for frontline staff to be treated

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    Mute Sam Greene
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    Mar 20th 2020, 1:24 AM

    @Nicola McClurg: the Employers have a duty of care to their staff. Ur husband should be issued with gloves and hand sanitizer. Thats disgraceful.

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    Mute Lisa
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    Mar 19th 2020, 6:31 PM

    Buses are normally filthy but no way in hell will I be using a bus or train during this pandemic.

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    Mute Sean May
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    Mar 19th 2020, 7:10 PM

    @Lisa: I had no alternative but to get the bus today when going food shopping, as I don’t drive and the nearest supermarket is too far away to carry several, heavy bag-loads from. A woman – with a young boy beside her! – was close to coughing up her lungs. (I guess that she missed all those media notices about Self-Isolating if you think you might be infected.) Thankfully she was at the far end of the bus and well away from me. Don’t know what I’m going to do now as regards getting in vital provisions, but there’s no way I’m using public transport anymore while this crisis goes on.

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    Mute Tony O Neill
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    Mar 19th 2020, 7:13 PM

    @Sean May: she should have been arrested

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    Mute Jazz Buckler
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    Mar 19th 2020, 8:18 PM

    @Sean May: time to get a bike with panniers buddy. No better time – quiet roads now and everything.
    Kill two birds with one stone – virus free transport plus get your exercise in.
    Cycling increasing in cities all over right now for those reasons

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    Mute Sean May
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    Mar 19th 2020, 8:30 PM

    @Jazz Buckler: A nice suggestion, Jazz and appreciated. Alas, I have COPD, so while I can manage the walk to the supermarket okay, by the time I got back from there on a bike with a gonkey-load of shopping, I wouldn’t be needing to wait for Corona to finish me off, lol. I should add that I live alone and am socially isolated, so the option of having someone to drive me back does not exist either. Thanks for your comment though, and I hope that you and yours will all be okay. Cheers!

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    Mute eddie mallon
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    Mar 20th 2020, 12:11 AM

    @Sean May: taxi is safer in this situation and drivers are voluntary ring your local one for assistance next time

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    Mute Sam Greene
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    Mar 20th 2020, 1:28 AM

    @Sean May: are stores still doing home deliveries? I dont know if theyvare , but might help u if they are.

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    Mute Gary Kearney
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    Mar 20th 2020, 3:34 PM

    @Tony O Neill: Arrested for coughing. Great idea.

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    Mute Gary Kearney
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    Mar 20th 2020, 3:35 PM

    @Jazz Buckler: I was waiting for the bike says the day post

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    Mute Lisa McDonnell
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    Mar 20th 2020, 7:32 AM

    Not everyone in Dublin drives and there are people who still have to get to work to keep things going. Public transport has been a life saver for me.

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    Mute The only INFP in Ireland
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    Mar 19th 2020, 7:50 PM

    Will only be using buses for hospital appointments from now on

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    Mute Ivan Assache
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    Mar 19th 2020, 8:08 PM

    @David Jordan Dr Who is a fictional character. He certainly did not appear in Hong Cong.

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    Mute Ros Kelly
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    Mar 20th 2020, 9:32 AM

    Any chance that the (few) bus drivers that love to jam on their brakes sharply (even with less traffic about!!) would calm their driving down? This seems like a sport to a rare few drivers – to jam on and cause passengers to lurch forward forcing them to grab onto the virus-laden handrails. Please, please drive a little more smoothly.
    Also agree strongly that all drivers be supplied with masks, gloves and hand sanitiser – even the few brake-jammers out there!

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