Beleaguered bookies take a hammering in the budget

Paschal Donohoe’s doubling of the betting tax last Tuesday was bad news for turf accountants across the country

Perhaps one of the greatest flaws in the human make-up is a reluctance to go to the dentist. Some years ago, grudgingly ending the latest famine, I visited a new dentist for what would turn out to be not only the first time but the last one too.

“Tell me,” she said, venturing somewhat rhetorically: “Do you smoke?”

It was not entirely unexpected. “Ah, no,” I countered. “Just socially.”

“Right,” she replied. “So ...