Public Apology. Earlier this morning, I posted a thread about Donie Cassidy and his long-standing influence within Fianna Fáil. Regretfully I forgot to mention one of the most blatant examples of political favouritism and insider dealing in modern Irish history…the Dublin Airport bar licence scandal. In 2010, while leader in the Seanad, Cassidy held shares in both the company that lost the lucrative Dublin Airport bar licence (Atwell) and the company that was mysteriously awarded it (Cavtat). The deal was described in the High Court as “extraordinary and inexplicable” , a state-owned licence quietly shifted from one Cassidy-linked company to another, without a public tender, in apparent breach of EU rules. While creditors lost millions, Cassidy walked away with a new contract and nearly €1 million in “managerial fees” that even former executives said were bogus. I apologise to all followers for omitting this. Lessons will be learned.

Nick Delehanty @Nick_Delehanty

Christmas Eve is all about the cooking Croquetas de jamon mix done… Now for the honeycomb tripe! Eoin O Broin. Last year, Lynn and yourself had lobsters and top of the range fish recipes. Just look at the comments on other sites and you will read that it is nice to be on salaries of £220,000 combined, if not more and add expenses. Well done Eoin. You sure are thinking of the hard working Irish people today who are struggling to make ends meet. Have a Happy Christmas. Enjoy the Tripe.