Sir, – Regarding Frank McNally’s list (An Irishman’s Diary, February 9th), I would add the following:
101. The troika said so.
102. Sure, what’s the harm in it?
103. Teething problems.
104. The snow of 2010.
105. The floods of 2009. – Yours, etc,
Sir, – 106. The dog ate my homework. – Yours, etc,
Sir, – 107. Mature recollection.
108. The bus was late.
109. The law’s an ass. – Yours, etc,
Sir, – 110. Ask me sister, I’m sweating.
111. It was never my intention to offend.
112. It was only a bit of horseplay.
113. Trouble with the nerves. – Yours, etc,
A chara, – 114. It was in the national interest.
115. Our hands are tied.
116. It was a difficult decision. – Is mise,
Sir, – 117. We followed canon law.
118. It wasn’t my job to inform the authorities.
119. It was to help a constituent.
120. He comes from a good family.
121. There was a bend in the road.
122. House prices always went up.
123. Everyone else was doing it. – Yours, etc,