Today the DH reported that the Irish firm which had been neglecting to pay for work done has finally sent over some money - so what seems to be happening is that the British government is subbing the Irish government, who are bunging it to the Irish banks who are lending it to Irish businesses and they are paying their debts to English firms.

No doubt with a good bit creamed off the top for expenses, as usual.

Still we're in business for a little longer, until the cutbacks in the emergency services' budgets really kick in.

Anne