Despite the attempts over the years for the situation to be otherwise by many, both lawfully and otherwise, it is a fact that instability in Ireland is as risky to UK economical recovery as if a shire county had gone to the wall. My business dealings over the years have included Ireland as "home" territory, rather than classed as overseas custom.

And many more do too.

Whether we can afford to help is perhaps a legitimate moot point for discussion, but by the same token, whether we can afford not to?

An insolvent Ireland helps nobody, least of all us. Mind you, I notice North of the border, Alex Salmond has stopped rattling on about emulating the Celtic tiger.....