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A rural school bus in Co Mayo. Mark Stedman/Photocall Ireland

TDs seek clarity on social distancing rules for school buses as minister says there's been 'significant progress' on reopening plans

Social distancing is a rule while waiting for school buses but not on them.

LAST UPDATE | 14 Aug 2020

A NUMBER OF opposition politicians have voiced concerns over the plans for school transport when children return to school at the end of this month.

As part of the government’s plan to re-open schools, the Department of Education has said that the School Transport Scheme will “fully operate as normal” but that a number of hygiene requirements will be in place.

Among those requirements are that children using the bus always sit in pre-assigned seating and next to a sibling or child from their class group.

Children are to also use hand sanitiser when boarding the bus and are told not to use school transport if they are displaying symptoms of Covid-19.

The rules also dictate that students must maintain physical distancing while waiting for transport but a number of politicians have criticised the fact that physical distancing is not an explicit requirement on the buses themselves.

Labour’s Aodhán Ó Ríordáin TD has said the department needs to clarify a number of issues, including whether physical distancing is required on school buses.

“Is this now official Department of Education policy that school buses are exempt from social distancing requirements?,” the Dublin Bay North TD said this afternoon.

What attempts were made by the department to engage with Bus Éireann, the Department of Transport and the NTA to deal with the logistical considerations by obtaining additional buses to deal with capacity constraints imposed by social distancing?

“She also needs to outline how children with underlying conditions who avail of school transport will be accommodated because the letter sent from her Department effectively endorses putting them on packed school buses.”

Ó Ríordáin has called on Minister for Education Norma Foley to appear before the Oireachtas Covid-19 Committee to answer questions on the matter.

Sinn Féin TD Darren O’Rourke has also said that social distancing needs to be made a priority for school buses and that more buses need to be put on to allow this to happen.

“It will come as a surprise to many, that although capacity on public transport has been limited to 50% due to Covid-19, no social distancing is planned for school buses when they return at the end of this month,” O’Rourke said.

While it may not be possible to achieve 50% capacity on these services, we believe additional buses should be put on to allow for more social distancing for school children.

“It’s envisaged that children will sit in designated seats, but as many school buses serve numerous schools, an outbreak in one school could spread through the school bus system under the current plans.”

O’Rourke added that there are “thousands of buses and coaches sitting idle” due to the lack of tourist numbers this year and that they should be used as part of the School Transport Scheme.

In its document outlining back-to-school protocols, the Department of Education argues that school transport services are different to public transport in that they are “controlled environments” and carry “the same children on a daily basis”.

The department also says that contact tracing is easier in school transport services because it is “a restricted group of transport users”.

Roadmap

In an update this evening on the plans for schools reopening, the minister said that “significant progress” has been made since plans were announced two-and-a-half weeks ago. 

Foley said that the department is “fully focused” on providing a safe environment for children and that, to date, almost €160 million has issued to schools to cover minor works such as cleaning and PPE. 

“I would like to pay tribute to the work that is being undertaken at a local school level to ensure that we can reopen our schools at the end of the month. We are fully focused on ensuring our children have a safe environment to return to and the work you are doing is critical to achieving that goal,” Foley said. 

I hope that these extra resources are of value to schools as they continue their preparations. It is important that we put an emphasis on the wellbeing of the whole school community as this year’s school reopening will pose different challenges for everyone.

“We will continue to communicate with principals, students, parents and all stakeholders over the next couple of weeks and update all materials as necessary.”

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    Mute Dj
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    Nov 20th 2017, 12:53 PM

    Should be called “I used to be a celebrity and will eat kangaroo balls to get famous again”

    525
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    Mute Peter Lewis Jnr
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    Nov 20th 2017, 2:06 PM

    @Dj: I often refer to it in a similar fashion.. “I used to be a celebrity, get me into anything!”

    78
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    Mute Sean
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    Nov 20th 2017, 2:49 PM

    @Dj: Even a past it celeb is better than the wife of a celeb. Has she no shame?

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    Mute Dj
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    Nov 20th 2017, 3:32 PM

    @Sean: Who is she??..Did she get her kit off yet?

    4
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    Mute Rob Cahill
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    Nov 20th 2017, 4:29 PM

    @Dj: Some England footballers wife..

    5
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    Mute Jas
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    Nov 20th 2017, 6:29 PM

    @Dj: I’ll be a celebrity when I get out of here

    8
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    Mute Gagsy 99
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    Nov 20th 2017, 12:58 PM

    Class program.
    Unashamedly z-list celebs. Would be equally entertaining if they were all nobodies.
    Light entertainment at its best.

    Feel free to judge me!

    235
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    Mute Grace Jeaney
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    Nov 20th 2017, 4:00 PM

    @Gagsy 99: agreed, it’s a good laugh.

    41
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    Mute Phil Swan
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    Nov 20th 2017, 4:10 PM

    @Gagsy 99: I completely agree, haven’t a clue who any of them are and don’t care. Bit of crack to watch after everything else on television depresses you.

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    Mute Gary
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    Nov 20th 2017, 4:55 PM

    @Gagsy 99: Agreed. I know Dennis Wise and Amir Kahn and that’s about it.

    8
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    Mute Sean
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    Nov 20th 2017, 6:29 PM

    @Gagsy 99: A celeb free version would be better. As long as they stay clear of the Towie types.

    4
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    Mute Abe Brennan
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    Nov 21st 2017, 1:19 AM

    @Gagsy 99: They are all nobodies

    1
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    Mute Mel Fitzpatrick
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    Nov 20th 2017, 1:15 PM

    Never miss it. Don’t watch it for the ‘celebrities’ I watch if for Ant and Dec. They are brilliant and the when they dealt with Ant’s rehab was equally brilliant.

    175
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    Mute Mel Finn
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    Nov 20th 2017, 1:01 PM

    Amir khans observation as he entered the camp for the first time ” its full of trees and leaves ” what was he expecting in a jungle, glaciers maybe

    155
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    Mute Deborah Behan
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    Nov 20th 2017, 2:10 PM

    @Mel Finn: he’s never watched the show before so this should be interesting.

    20
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    Mute Abe Brennan
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    Nov 21st 2017, 1:24 AM

    @Mel Finn: And toffs comment tonight as she stood by the creek, this must be where we get the water from to boil it up. Clever girl.

    1
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    Mute Kieran OKeeffe
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    Nov 20th 2017, 12:50 PM

    Saw a few minutes of it last night,with the exception of Dennis wise,have no clue who the”celebrities”are…gone beyond z list..

    106
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    Mute lavbeer
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    Nov 20th 2017, 12:53 PM

    @Kieran OKeeffe: Boris Johnson auld fella is probably a buffoon as well – he is bound to drag a clanger or two

    36
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    Mute Gagsy 99
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    Nov 20th 2017, 1:02 PM

    @Kieran OKeeffe:
    I read a Viz top-tip once :

    “ITV, increase viewer numbers by making a celebrity version of I’m a celebrity get me out of here”

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    Mute windbag
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    Nov 20th 2017, 1:35 PM

    @Kieran OKeeffe: of course it’s going to be Z listers. ..A listers don’t need the money or the publicity…. .. I always watech it , it’s a bit of craic..

    27
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    Mute Deborah Behan
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    Nov 20th 2017, 2:09 PM

    @windbag: Ant and Dec alone are worth it alone but what they put the contestants through is gas!

    21
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    Mute Ger
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    Nov 20th 2017, 1:00 PM

    I enjoy it most years. You know it’s going to be Z list celebrities but a few decent characters always emerge, like Lady C and couple of years ago who was great telly. I imagine Boris Johnsons dad will be of a similar ilk and should be good for a laugh . A few people on it this year who hardly ever rank as Z list though. One bloke who is the brother of a pop star?? And Jamie Vardys wife. Since when does being related to a celebrity count as being a celebrity?
    I’ll probably still watch it this year despite the fact that it’s a less than stellar cast.

    56
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    Mute Deborah Behan
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    Nov 20th 2017, 2:48 PM

    @Ger: Scarlett, Joel and Adam were so entertaining last year I hope this year can be as good.

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    Mute Ger
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    Nov 20th 2017, 5:52 PM

    @Deborah Behan: yeah they were great. I’m not as hopeful with this years crowd other than Johnson but you never know.

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    Mute Don Juan
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    Nov 20th 2017, 12:50 PM

    They’re celebrities? I know Dennis Wise and that boxer..

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    Mute ""
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    Nov 20th 2017, 1:32 PM

    No story on the RTE groomer? Any offers ?

    25
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    Mute Ben Dawkins
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    Nov 20th 2017, 12:51 PM

    I’d sooner stick my face in slurry. The most pointless program on telly.

    73
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    Mute Gagsy 99
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    Nov 20th 2017, 1:00 PM

    @Ben Dawkins:
    What ‘point’ would you seek from it?

    38
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    Mute Noel James Doherty
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    Nov 20th 2017, 1:07 PM

    @Ben Dawkins: pointless on the BBC now there’s a programme i do love

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    Mute Let free speech live
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    Nov 20th 2017, 1:50 PM

    @Ben Dawkins: They would probably put you on the show to fish stars out of the slurry with your teeth.

    8
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    Mute Rob Cahill
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    Nov 20th 2017, 1:51 PM

    @Ben Dawkins: You realise there’s a show where you watch people watching telly right??

    9
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    Mute Kieran Conroy
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    Nov 20th 2017, 1:05 PM

    Stopped watching TV a couple of years ago.Total trash with a few exceptions.I don’t need to see some idiot baking a fu@king cake,someone buying a house in the country,or some d!ck prancing around on ice.The great days of quality telly are long gone.Everything now is dumbed-down TV.No thanks.

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    Mute OCallaghan TP
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    Nov 20th 2017, 1:48 PM

    @Kieran Conroy: ha ha… so true..its sh it

    27
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    Mute Rob Cahill
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    Nov 20th 2017, 1:52 PM

    @Kieran Conroy: There’s more than just reality TV to be fair.

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    Mute Danielle Kenny
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    Nov 20th 2017, 4:36 PM

    @Kieran Conroy: ha! We’re actually in a golden age of television at the moment, there’s more than reality tv to watch! I love people giving out about a problem that doesn’t exist

    3
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    Mute Rob Cahill
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    Nov 20th 2017, 1:55 PM

    I can’t understand having a famous person’s wife on it.. If she had a fashion label like Posh then maybe but just marrying someone doesn’t make you a celebrity. Although it does seem like she is going to be trouble so that’s what they are after.. Was too nice last year.. They wan’t a bit of drama.

    17
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    Mute OCallaghan TP
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    Nov 20th 2017, 1:43 PM

    Them 2 are the most irritating duo ever.. and are way overrated…

    26
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    Mute Gagsy 99
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    Nov 20th 2017, 1:50 PM

    @OCallaghan TP:
    By you.
    I think they’re great!

    24
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    Mute OCallaghan TP
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    Nov 20th 2017, 3:57 PM

    @Gagsy 99: I’m delighted for you ..

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    Mute Gagsy 99
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    Nov 20th 2017, 6:13 PM

    @OCallaghan TP:

    Thanks for the empathy!

    1
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    Mute Rachel Didleu
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    Nov 20th 2017, 2:04 PM

    Arbour Hill is going to get very very full with Irish Stars….Humphries and Creaven will be able to compare notes ……if we disinter our 1916 heros there should be just enough space for The paedo stars….Fairy House how are yew?

    11
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    Mute Gagsy 99
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    Nov 20th 2017, 6:16 PM

    @Rachel Didleu:

    What an unusual post on the topic of a light entertainment show.

    6
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    Mute Fiona deFreyne
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    Nov 20th 2017, 1:05 PM

    The cult of celebrity is enjoyable for some.

    11
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    Mute Paul Costello
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    Nov 20th 2017, 1:23 PM

    I wish someone would leave those two flutes in the jungle permanently

    18
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    Mute Ciaran De Bhal
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    Nov 20th 2017, 4:26 PM

    I’m a nobody, get me on the telly.

    10
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    Mute WilhelminaMCallaghan
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    Nov 20th 2017, 2:13 PM

    No don’t have a tv nor a computer nor internet.
    My phone only work in the city but not to watch anything.
    But even if I had a tv I despise so called “reality tv” is nothing but the glorification of mediocrity. I can’t stand that . Bores me senseless when I go visit people and they are watching it I look and think why would you waste time with this .

    9
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    Mute Gagsy 99
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    Nov 20th 2017, 6:20 PM

    @WilhelminaMCallaghan:

    Maybe, just maybe, it doesn’t bore the people you visit senseless and they don’t see it as a waste of time?

    Or another theory would be that they do find it bores them senseless but as soon as they see you coming to visit they immediately stick it on because everything is relative, right?

    I’m sure it’s definitely one of those two.

    9
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    Mute Peter Coen
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    Nov 20th 2017, 1:41 PM

    Not if you paid me,would i watch that shite.

    21
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    Mute Gagsy 99
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    Nov 20th 2017, 1:51 PM

    @Peter Coen:
    Fortunately that’s not how it works.
    You can just watch it or not!

    10
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    Mute Brian O Reilly
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    Nov 20th 2017, 3:36 PM

    Watched it briefly,there are just too many safety devices. unhitch the safety harnesses and I would gladly watch in the hope that !!!!!

    5
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    Mute James Mc Loughlin
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    Nov 20th 2017, 1:29 PM

    You have to be careful who you praise with all this going on

    5
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    Mute Louise Collard
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    Nov 20th 2017, 6:28 PM

    Terribly cruel to animals, must scare the poor things. Why isnt the RSPCA not stepping up and closing this cruelty down???

    6
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    Mute Dean Moriarity
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    Nov 20th 2017, 3:52 PM

    No, because I don’t want to end up in rehab like Ant.

    5
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    Mute Cindy Crawford
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    Nov 20th 2017, 1:51 PM

    I have no interest in ‘ celebrity ‘ based programmes. The only way you’d get me to watch it is to have Gerard Butler or Bradley Cooper naked in it. Preferably both.

    4
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    Mute Ted Murray
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    Nov 20th 2017, 2:13 PM

    @Cindy Crawford: __ I don’t think they’d get away with Celebrity Homoerotic Wrestling, not even after the watershed.

    10
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    Mute Cindy Crawford
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    Nov 20th 2017, 3:06 PM

    @Ted Murray: Pity

    5
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    Mute Toon Army
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    Nov 20th 2017, 9:17 PM

    Shocking stuff

    2
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    Mute Alois Irlmaier
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    Nov 20th 2017, 5:43 PM

    Never have because its vile.

    2
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    Mute Dwayne Jordan
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    Nov 20th 2017, 9:26 PM

    No thanks I have a life

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    Mute Unitedpeople
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    Nov 21st 2017, 7:16 AM

    No. Mindless irrelevant programming with poor genuine entertainment value.

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    Mute aaronmcgrattan
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    Nov 20th 2017, 7:46 PM

    I’m sorry, I forgot to vote as I was so bored by the question alone

    1
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    Mute Rob
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    Nov 20th 2017, 11:42 PM

    Don’t watch TV anymore, nothing but reality crap. Switched to Netflix and other streaming services.

    2
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    Mute Paul Jennings
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    Nov 21st 2017, 12:13 AM

    Television goes from bad to worse. Glad I kept my videos going back 25 years or so. Even the advertisements are more interesting. Or less irritating. There was more quality with less quantity and options. No wonder you need a remote to channel hop between the “66 channels of shit on the t.v. to chose from,” as sung by Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits in the early 1980s. Where is the pleasure in seeing someone being carved up on the operating table, being evicted by the bailiffs or an interview with lifers in an American penitentiary? We’re looking for escapism, not reality, or what passes for it. Three or four channels would suffice please and I don’t mind having to get up to press clunky channel controls, wait for the ‘set to warm up, adjust the horizontal/vertical hold or the contrast even.

    1
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    Mute Joseph Dempsey
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    Nov 21st 2017, 8:12 AM

    Appalling shite, only beaten by the mind numbing ghastly Big Brother

    2
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    Mute John Rownano
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    Nov 20th 2017, 2:14 PM

    TV for the Terminally stupid

    1
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