Originally Posted by Cuthbert Rizla

What makes me laugh is that even with 26 counties the Irish still need help from the other six for their rugby team.

Originally Posted by Cuthbert Rizla

You're right.
Relief for taxpayers whose tax provides benefits for those unwilling or unable to pay taxes themselves.
I often wonder if the reason why there hasn't been widespread civil unrest in Ireland following a series of austerity budgets is because the benefits system was far too generous in the first place and even now after all the cuts it's still more generous than in the UK.
Certainly the unemployed in my town still appear to have enough money to visit the pub EVERY day.

Originally Posted by nolanger

Ireland doesn't just mean the Republic. The Nordies are Irish too if they want to be. The all-Ireland rugby (and cricket) team existed before partition but it never got changed like the football teams did.

Originally Posted by Sean MacMaghnuis

Every day? They must be getting child benefit. I can only afford to go to the pub once a week on my dole. Its a disgrace. When my fuel allowance runs out in April there will be no more taxi's home for me.