This week's wintry blast was felt in Dublin Castle, where it led to fresh delays at the planning tribunal. On Wednesday, proceedings were held up for half an hour after the chairman, Mr Justice Flood, was snowed in at his home in Howth. Apologising for his late arrival, the ever-courteous judge remarked that "snow conditions in Howth were more suitable for skiing than motoring". As he left later he quipped to photographers that if the frost persisted the Minister for Finance would have to pay for hot whiskeys for those attending the tribunal.
A stiff drink might be most appropriate for those skating on thin ice up at the Castle. And that's neither the audience nor the photographers.