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Taoiseach Leo Varadkar jokes with Fine Gael councillor Emer Currie as he opens the redeveloped Mountview Shopping Centre in Blanchardstown. Niall Carson via PA Images

Quiz: What on earth are these politicians up to?

Novelty glasses, pumpkins and a giant film reel – ministers can be pictured doing some pretty ridiculous things.

EARLIER THIS WEEK, Leo Varadkar was snapped placing a massive novelty scissors to the neck of his fellow Fine Gaeler, councillor Emer Currie while in Blanchardstown.

It got us thinking about the other bizarre props, poses and backdrops that Taoisigh and Ministers are exposed to – and how relevant they are to the thing they’re launching.

So, here’s a quick little quiz to see how much you remember about these ministerial launches. Ádh mór.

What is Taoiseach Leo Varadkar at the launch of here at the Botanic Gardens in Glasnevin?
PA Images
The First Progress Report on Sustainable Growth 2019
The First Progress Report on the Climate Action Plan 2019

A report into the Irish food chain and how to make it more sustainable
A report into how we can use Irish greenhouses more to grow food
What is Sport and Transport Minister Shane Ross launching here?
RollingNews.ie
Dublin's new white-water rafting attraction at the IFSC
The government's annual report into child fitness in Ireland

The government's 10 year sports policy
A report into how not to wear a helmet
What's Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy at the launch of here?
RollingNews.ie
An art gallery
The opening of almost 2,000 affordable homes in Cork.

An emergency accommodation strategy for Dublin
A cold weather strategy
Minister for Children and Youth Affairs Katherine Zappone is having fun here. What's she launching?
RollingNews.ie
The Arts Council of Ireland 2019 annual report
The Abbey Theatre 2019 programme

A showcase of how youth work changes lives
A report into the benefits of Transition Year for students
Health Minister Simon Harris is flanked by Seodín (grey) and Darcy (white) at Dublin Castle. What's the occasion?
RollingNews.ie
The launch of a national day to celebrate Ireland’s Unsung Heroes
Security preparations for UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson's Dublin visit

A parade for the national services
The launch of the National Good Doggo Day 2019
The Taoiseach and these three ministers are at the launch of what?
RollingNews.ie
Ireland's first 10 year strategy for pre-schools and creches
Ireland’s first 10 year strategy to support babies and toddlers

The Early Learning strategy for 2019
Cabinet
What are Business Minister Heather Humphreys and Culture Minister Josepha Madigan at here?
RollingNews.ie
The launch of the Audio Visual Action Plan
The launch of the Irish Film Festival

The launch of new tax exemptions for artists
On set for the filming of Dublin Murders
What are these three at? The launch of...
RollingNews.ie
A new school programme that teaches students how to grow food
A new government ad campaign to help advise parents on nutrition

The new nutrition standards for the school meals programme
Fruit day at the Dáil canteen
What's the now Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe at the launch of here?
RollingNews.ie
1916 Centenary commemorations
The 2016 St Patrick's Day parade

The 1916 St Patrick's Day parade
A 100 year progress report on Ireland
What are Varadkar, Donohoe, and Ross on a Luas for?
RollingNews.ie
The launch of replacing Luas cards with cashless payments
The launch of the Green Line extension

The launch of the NTA's anti-racism campaign
They're on their way home
Answer all the questions to see your result!
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You scored out of !
Political anorak
The devil's in the detail, and by god you really know the details.
Share your result:
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You scored out of !
Your average Joe
A respectable score - but we want a little more.
Share your result:
Shutterstock
You scored out of !
Unregistered voter
You could do better - but also probably have better things to be doing.
Share your result:

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    Mute David Fenton
    Favourite David Fenton
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    Nov 26th 2012, 4:42 PM

    It might be worth people’s while reading up a little on card skimming machines. If you have some idea of what to look for you can protect yourself to some degree. However, it’s always best to avoid using machines in poorly lit and poorly serviced areas and always check your statements regularly. Here’s a bunch of articles with pictures to give you an idea of what’s out there. http://krebsonsecurity.com/all-about-skimmers/

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    Mute PunchUinFACE
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    Nov 26th 2012, 5:29 PM

    Best tip is to simply always place your hand directly over keypad when entering PIN. PIN is key, while your card details maybe compromised without PIN bank cannot hold you liable for CNP payments which is all they can do without PIN

    22
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    Mute Sean Hyland
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    Nov 26th 2012, 5:42 PM

    The best tip would be to re introduce border controls on eastern block countries and stop criminal gangs moving in. Bulgaria borders open 2014 roll up all in!

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    Mute Johnny Gobstock
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    Nov 26th 2012, 10:14 PM

    exactly Sean, we never had this crap until they opened the borders to them

    25
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    Mute john mack
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    Nov 27th 2012, 7:15 AM

    Would have to second the website http://krebsonsecurity.com very informative, one point to note is if you see skimming device or notice any unusual device don’t use machine, don’t try to remove device yourself, the gang that installed it normally wait nearby to prevent people from removing their Skimmers and cameras mostly with a bit if force.

    5
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    Mute Fussy Galore
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    Nov 26th 2012, 9:37 PM

    I was recently scammed by one of these CIE vending machines – I was charged €2.80 for a single journey from Tara street to Lansdowne. People need to be vigilant.

    60
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    Mute ITS Student
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    Nov 26th 2012, 4:19 PM

    Anyone who uses a credit card nowadays must love paying €40 stamp duty even if they use their card just once. The best advice I can offer is for people to use cash instead of credit cards. Cash is quicker and easier.

    28
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    Mute PunchUinFACE
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    Nov 26th 2012, 4:36 PM

    i agree but i have awful problems sending cash down the internet, just won;t fit into the socket ;)

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    Mute ITS Student
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    Nov 26th 2012, 4:50 PM

    Why not use a Debit Card instead?

    or Paypal?

    16
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    Mute siobeli
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    Nov 26th 2012, 4:56 PM

    Very smug suggestion!! So how do I access my cash if I’m paid into the bank if I don’t use a cash machine to get it, as work during banking hours?
    Why should people have to suit criminals?

    37
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    Mute Declan Noonan
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    Nov 26th 2012, 5:01 PM

    People do get mugged as well!

    35
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    Mute Bilbo Baggins
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    Nov 27th 2012, 3:00 AM

    Debit cards now cost per transaction with most banks so over the year they’ll work out a lot more expensive than a credit card.
    not all online retailers use PayPal your fairly stuck tryin to pay motor tax online with a hand full of coppers…

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    Mute Donal Rafferty
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    Nov 26th 2012, 4:10 PM

    Do you have to put your pin in those machines now? It’s been awhile but the last time I used one I just put my card in and out without putting in a PIN.

    24
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    Mute Redmond Scanlon
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    Nov 26th 2012, 4:51 PM

    Yeah you have to put your pin in now.

    18
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    Mute Neil McAuley
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    Nov 26th 2012, 4:53 PM

    Donal I’m pretty certain that the system where u could enter a bank card without entering a PIN is no longer on place. I used do that also. Best way to avoid this scam is to book in advance ( to avail of a better fare) and enter the reference number that they email u or use cash.

    35
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    Mute PunchUinFACE
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    Nov 26th 2012, 5:02 PM

    siobeli,

    In fairness to ITS student, his comment is around the govt asking for a cashless society and then penalising people for this.

    My comment was an attempt at humour, i know i know, don’t give up the day job.

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    Mute fizi_water
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    Nov 26th 2012, 8:31 PM

    They can skimm my card what they want, there are usually only 3-4 days every month they would be able to take anything substantial from me (yes…after pay day lol). Any other day they might be welcomed with message “we are sorry there are no sufficient funds in your account to complete transaction, would you like to try another amount? “. See how smart way to cheat the cheaters :)

    But for all other minted people, why dont you get 2nd laser card just for carring around with small limit, separate to your main bank account with planty of money?

    21
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    Mute Mac Ready
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    Nov 26th 2012, 6:32 PM

    Another scam currently doing the rounds certainly in Dublin city centre is where ATM user puts their card in enters their pin selects amount to withdraw card should come back out of card reader but appears to be stuck there is usually someone standing over your shoulder taking not of your PIN number and will advise u that the card has been eaten and you need to go into the branch when you move off they will remove the card trapping device and your card and clear your account

    18
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    Mute Johnny Gobstock
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    Nov 26th 2012, 10:13 PM

    best tip to do there is ‘don’t move off”, just stand there and wait. do as it says on the warning sign, call the garda for assistance, just stand there and wait. that will make them sweat.

    14
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    Mute mick lennon
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    Nov 26th 2012, 10:47 PM

    Im blaming the bankers for this too

    6
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    Mute Lorraine Chambers
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    Nov 26th 2012, 6:07 PM

    Pay online from home and get a Leap card which can be used for the bus, train and Luas. One can top it up at most local shops.

    6
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    Mute Bilbo Baggins
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    Nov 27th 2012, 3:03 AM

    If you live in Dublin….

    6
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    Mute Robin Pickering
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    Nov 27th 2012, 5:10 AM

    Talk about dumb criminals! Don’t they realise that after paying the cost of a trip on public transport, only a tiny few would have anything left to steal?

    5
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