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This was expressed most powerfully for me by the number of people who, for whatever reason, decided that their vote was either worthless or they were just not interested in the outcome. I am quite sure now that they see things much more clearly, quite apart from the rising prices due to currency weakness - which I am sure is engineered. Those bargain holiday trips to Europe for a beer festival in Germany or just to laze on beach are now going to cost more as Sterling sinks ever closer to parity with the Euro. I have always felt that the long term aim of the politicians was to bring the Euro, the Dollar and the pound closer together because it assists the achievement of globalisation. Now with China asserting itself and Russia meddling wherever it feels that it can cause a problem - which it will do nothing to resolve because they are simply seeking attention. Now we have got the White House engaged like the noisy neighbour's next door in megaphone situation management - add Israel and Syria into the mix with all being conducted by Mr Goldilocks - Mrs May well decide that her version of globalisation post Brexit is running on very poor fuel. I was interested yesterday in the re-launch of The Northern Power House strategy which involves the re-birth of manufacturing accompanied (they say) by heavy investment in new technology and businesses. Having spent a week recently visiting Sheffield and observing numerous aspects of the new economy based on credit cards, service industries and retail I am obliged to wonder where the "new" industries are to be sited when they have already been replaced with heaps of shed businesses and car showrooms selling cars which now have to drive on some roads which are little better than boreens. Perhaps that's why they all drive so slowly up there. The roads are a total disgrace, on my previous visit I needed a new wishbone on the Vor Sprung, the council having sub contracted the work of highway maintenance to a national champion at a cost of two billion per annum whose only interest is chopping down trees. If on the other hand Leeds is to be the power house I can only wish them luck. Glad to see X4 is about and taking notice and the faculties are as sharp as ever T G. Good luck all

When I switched the IMac on my last post was still loaded so I fired it, thinking that it must have miss-fired like the Trident. Mr Mac as usual is making some very sensible comments which I will respond to later - when I have had my "fix" of N C I S.

I am pleased that you agree with my assessment of Brexit but what we don't know really, is what the Tory's will do when the panic sets in over seats. Maggie was chopped off quite unceremoniously and Theresa May is far from being as well established. Once The Masters of The Universe start emigrating, the first thing that will notice will be unrest in the ranks and the leaders lifespan in office. One thing that won't happen is that Bill Cash or that Redwood man from Woking won't be in the race. The situation in the north is troubling, because quite good strides have been made in putting in the footings for progress, which was always going to be slow due to the nature of the politics when trust can so easily be undermined. Certainly the Conservatives will try to look as though they are interested in maintaining the peace in the north but quite frankly their track record says otherwise. Without the Unionists being in power or whoever else they needed to support them in a hung parliament or to maintain a fragile majority they really could not be less interested - how helpful or constructive was Patrick Mayhugh when he was Northern Secretary ? The next two years with Brexit, The North and Bill Hayley's occupation of the White House and the other situations in the Middle East and Russia and the Ukraine we will have much to think about. Whilst I can see a role for Michael D Higgins and projecting the Ireland case into the debate on the future of the north, I'm not so sure where "Inda" fits in. Will be visiting the North again in March and will be very interested to visit one or ten of the pubs on the Ormeau Road to canvas opinion amongst the FLAG WAVERS to see if there has been any change in their traditional siege mentality. This whole situation is real box of frogs and no mistake. Good luck all,

I am pleased that you agree with my assessment of Brexit but what we don't know really, is what the Tory's will do when the panic sets in over seats. Maggie was chopped off quite unceremoniously and Theresa May is far from being as well established. Once The Masters of The Universe start emigrating, the first thing that will notice will be unrest in the ranks and the leaders lifespan in office. One thing that won't happen is that Bill Cash or that Redwood man from Woking won't be in the race. The situation in the north is troubling, because quite good strides have been made in putting in the footings for progress, which was always going to be slow due to the nature of the politics when trust can so easily be undermined. Certainly the Conservatives will try to look as though they are interested in maintaining the peace in the north but quite frankly their track record says otherwise. Without the Unionists being in power or whoever else they needed to support them in a hung parliament or to maintain a fragile majority they really could not be less interested - how helpful or constructive was Patrick Mayhugh when he was Northern Secretary ? The next two years with Brexit, The North and Bill Hayley's occupation of the White House and the other situations in the Middle East and Russia and the Ukraine we will have much to think about. Whilst I can see a role for Michael D Higgins and projecting the Ireland case into the debate on the future of the north, I'm not so sure where "Inda" fits in. Will be visiting the North again in March and will be very interested to visit one or ten of the pubs on the Ormeau Road to canvas opinion amongst the FLAG WAVERS to see if there has been any change in their traditional siege mentality. This whole situation is real box of frogs and no mistake. Good luck all,

What a day - wall to wall America - so they elected Boris Johnson's cousin who just happens to remind me of Bill Haley. That's democracy, well at least the modern version both here and in America - how else can you explain the perceived inadequacy's. Noticed too that young Mr Osborne is being retained by Blackrock "as an advisor" but he will remain an MP in case it only lasts a few weeks. Enjoy the weekend - thank goodness for U Tube.

That Fog Horn who forecast Armageddon like Germany's Lord Haw Haw almost every day - then we had some demented China Man who wanted to buy an I Pad - now we have an "Economic Forecaster" who tells us he/she is sensible. How many banks have now indicated that they are intending to go global (or move to a tax haven more likely) with jobs being lost in The City. In some respects they are presenting aspects of a Closing Down Sale with their despondent view of the future. Not surprising really when they have had the advantage of effectively "free money" for almost ten years now and have only succeeded in increasing everybody's credit card bill at the end of it. "What do they do that is socially useful"? Is that question even on the agenda in Davos, as they look from the mountain tops for the new horizon. Dear Oh dear what a state we are in. Good job we are all made of sterner stuff and understand the expression "only the old dog takes the hard road." Our little bank is not going anywhere, but at least it has the prospect of doing better once the Big Heads get their act together - whenever that will be. At least the Market Cap is showing a four fold increase on 2008 which has to demonstrate something even under present "modern day" management. Good luck all on board the Sky Rocket.

I'm going out because it seems to be getting quite hot on here - most likely option when things get too sticky - current team will abandon ship by calling a further election. My question is - will anybody miss them and where do we hire a pilot.

Could be a smart move but I doubt like you that it will happen - however these days anything can happen, if Brexit goes through I might very well seek refuge amongst my cousins over there. Now Radar, there is another term of endearment used down y'ere an that's "Mah Booty" and since you are so obviously irresistible to women it may very well suit you. Good luck all.

I am again in agreement with Fontenoy and the general consensus posted - confirmation was broadcast tonight on the B B C news. One thousand HSBC jobs being re-located to Paris - these are reported to be very highly paid individuals who "earn" hundreds of thousands of pounds a year and pay shed loads of tax, no wonder there are no dividends. They will no doubt settle into metropolitan life in that socialist country enjoying their two hour lunches and much better working hours - enjoying peaceful weekends free of Emails - by law. Doubtless their TAX arrangements will be very much different from those currently in force for the general population in France. Can't believe that I find myself so much in sympathy with Fontenoy, never happened before when he was polishing his blow lamp on Radar etc..

Saint Theresa has certainly stirred the waters but what has she really said - nothing - that speech today as was rightly said was only window dressing. For some reason the youngsters in the city together with the ones who wear red braces on television and should know better, have broken into a period of "irrational exuberance" pushing the index well into unchartered territory. This could be the start of a pump and dump or simply to draw in the "mugs" who are tired waiting for their low risk investment plan to bear fruit and think that they see an opportunity when the market looks so healthy. We are having our first estate agent visit tomorrow because we want now to make a serious move back into cash, I don't think that they will want to dilute Sterling any further but whose to say ? So far as migrants are concerned, I don't think being in or out of Europe is going to make that much difference, there never has been a really serious attempt to either monitor them coming or going or control their numbers. The Police have no power to detain foreign nationals, who arrive for instance in the back of a truck and decide to jump off at a Service Station. This was clearly illustrated a couple of years ago when two Arabs who couldn't speak English were walking on the hard shoulder of the M6 when the Police rescued them. Having satisfied themselves that they were foreign nationals their duty was done when they dropped them off at the first exit and requested them to report to the immigration office in Liverpool - no doubt they did. All this country's eggs are in the City basket where it is fondly asserted that all foreign exchange business can only work properly through the City - wrong. It may for the moment be the largest centre for foreign exchange transactions but, does anyone really believe that the international financial system would collapse without it. I am quite sure that the U S would look to gain a share of all that lovely business or that Europe couldn't get it's act together if it had too even sacrificing one or two of the awkward squad on the way. "Going forward" as they say, is not going to be easy, but for a small and agile country like Ireland there will be opportunities once they take a grip of the network of branches and establish more efficient procedures when dealing with customers and correspondence where Bank of Ireland is concerned. The branch that we visited and recently had dealings with could only be described as chaotic when they LOST our correspondence because they do not seem any longer to have a system capable of dealing with HARD COPY. SENT from my newly re-built IMac which caused me so much annoyance last year but is now running superbly thanks to a good computer enthusiast. So far as the movement of labour in Europe is concerned - we should be using the term "Guest Worker" where appropriate, then perhaps we can discover how many are not and have no intention of being. Goo

Yes I am - for once I find myself in agreement with Fontenoy and his last double post, concerning the wholesale distribution of Irish Passports.

Have just spent a week up in the so called "Northern Power House" or part of it - in Sheffield with our young lady's new house. The investment that is evident points to a lot of money being spent - new car sale rooms abound in the old industrial quarter along with all the other manifestations of the modern "service" based society. MacDonald's, KFC, Pizza Hut, Burgerking and of course Starbucks, all gathered around The Meadowhall Shopping Centre. What a nightmare and the traffic was amazing as it threaded through the maze of monstrous new constructions with traffic lights that were always on RED. I hate to think how much has been spent but you can definitely see where it's gone an quite often who has benefited when I look at the new cars that have been lease purchased. Am glad to be back in the West Country.

ON New Years Eve - A very happy NEW YEAR to all posters here - no doubt everybody is having a ball as they wait for the clock to get rid of 2016. I'm sitting here with my glass of Jameson poured from one of the bottles that I brought with me when I came to Torquay thirty years ago yesterday. Hope X4 continues to regain his strength and enjoys the coming year as much as I plan to. Happy New Year and good luck to all.

Was delighted to note that Wilbur is a real All American - hope he has a current MOT certificate because at the pace he was stepping out, excited to meet the new American President, they will probably have to wheel him around as soon as he gets a few more miles on the clock. Marvelous stuff which you just couldn't make up and get as good a laugh. Good luck all

Market Cap 7.7 BLn which has room to grow I feel - Middle Eastern problems are still set to haunt us over the next twelve months and beyond as the Russian bear meddles and people flee. Then we have Brexit of course and its likely effect on Ireland - it might just mean that Ireland has to win the Eurovision Song Contest again to get a proper stir on the tourist trade, which together with winning the Six Nations will push the old flag right up the pole. Have been issued with my new MOT by the Cardiologist on Monday who told me he doesn't know what I am doing but that I should keep doing it - which I will GOLFING - will be out tomorrow in my Santa hat and will take a drop of the spirit afterwards. Strictly to guard against a chill of course and to stop my heart from shrinking. Hope all our readers have a peaceful Christmas as ours will be - just the two of us this year, our eldest born in Sligo on St Stephens Day did not want to risk the ferry with the grandsons in case it turned nasty. She wants their first experience of travelling on a ferry to be smooth, our youngest will be with the prospective groom in her new house this year. I'm expected to travel up later to do some jobs for her so that the house is in shape for when the knot is tied in June. X4 - Enjoy the Christmas you thought that you might have missed and here's to many happy returns for the future, our Mass at midnight is @ 9.00pm and I will remember you when I receive. To the rest of you HAVE A GREAT CHRISTMAS and the best of luck for the New Year. Torquay

I bought my second tranche @.06 but my first purchase was more expensive - my average is .17c so in theory I'm up but can't cash them in because I would miss the craic on here. When things start to fly, it really is great fun on here. Don't even like going away because there is ALMOST always something worth reading - having an early night tonight because I have to report at 8.30 for my Cardiac Echo and consultant meeting afterwards to see how much longer I can keep smashing the golf ball down the links. Good luck all

You have come a long way in three months and survived your surgery well from the sound of things - my brother's experience was not as radical as yours nor was the intervention so far reaching - marvelous what they can do now and without the destruction that would have been the case when we were in London which probably would have been at the risk of your life. The Catheter was an inconvenience I'm sure but very necessary in order to measure input and OUTPUT - in case you had developed a tributary within your system. Like you my brothers three month check-up was clear so far as his P S A was concerned, so he has elected not to proceed with radiation when at the moment it appears not to be necessary. During the post-op consultation, the sister who counselled him explained that whilst radiation treatment works, it can cause some damage to the surrounding organs or tissue because of the difficulty "FOR NOW" in targeting the radiation.A recent item on the news, which pricked up my ears, was to the effect that a considerable investment is now going forward into upgrading Radiation machines in order to address this very problem. My brother visited me recently and stated that he doesn't know himself these days - he was obliged to make use of incontinence pads when his Catheta was removed but has now been able to dispense with them. I should say however that he is fanatical about doing what he describes as his abdominal exercises. When he was told to do them twice a day he did four sessions and was just the same when he had his knee replaced. I am delighted that you still like girls but advise caution here - you have had a very extensive re-build - you should move forward with caution because like a car you will need to "run yourself in" for at least 5,000 miles. I know only too well the joy that accompanies that Ecstacy that is uncontrolled emotion - but you have to be sensible when you have as many miles on the clock as we have - leave those adventures for another couple of weeks. Am delighted with your news and try the odd pint of Arthur - it can be very good for what ails you. HAVE BLOWN OUT THE CANDLE.......

To our Mr Mac for his very valuable research and comment - it appears that political sentiment is changing with the election of Donald Trump. The mood seems now to forsake the "Cooly" economies of China and the far east in favour of job creation at home, which of course will benefit employment and reduce the need to create jobs in the financially unproductive service sector. The only people who make any money are the ones that own the phone banks etc. but they never seem to produce anything that is really worthwhile or offers interesting career prospects. Over the last while there have been items which have been presented on television to do with manufacturing, only yesterday a company was featured in Matlock, Derbyshire which is becoming increasingly busy and now has to address skill shortages which are overcome by employing what are described as migrants. If it is now going to become government policy to encourage manufacturing again - what have they been doing for the last eight years to prepare for this change. If this country is going ahead with Brexit, then I would expect a more constructive approach to the creation of employment and most of all the capital being available to support it over a lengthy period. The old chestnuts like Y T S schemes will not do it, because they were not sustained for long enough for the people on the schemes to become useful employees before the funding was withdrawn. Just a thought - I may be entirely mistaken. Good luck all. AND X4EU2

Not too disappointing - note the market cap at 7.7 BLn which is not too shabby when you think of the time when it wasn't that much over 2BLn. With the current level of economic "activity" it is hard too see how it will go higher - but then I am influenced by the current economic sentiment here - which would not send anybody into raptures. Whilst I am quite happy that Ireland is well positioned to take advantage of growth, green shoots and all, it is not clear to me exactly where it is to come from. Pat MacG's comments about the Financial Centre were most encouraging and a welcome boost for Dublin, even if it means that the city has to accommodate a large number of "amatuer drinkers." Temple Bar is well used to dealing with loud people who think they can drink. The expansion of the Financial Centre should present opportunities for many of Ireland's well qualified youngsters either to be employed at home or for migrants to the City to return home. Just as long as The City has not put them off a career in banking like my niece who has tired quite quickly really and set up her own business so that she can live with her conscience. Good luck all.

Have read my way through today's traffic and very interesting it was too - tried posting a comment but lost it due to a fat finger incident - too late to start again because I'm on the first tee early tomorrow because of a ladies competition. Do not see any major alarms ahead before Christmas - then we join the world according to Trump - he could be even worse than George W which will really focus the minds in Europe. Good luck all