Let’s be honest. In Ireland, if you obey the law, pay your household charge and road tax and TV licence, you are regarded by many as a bit of a mug. Yet without those people, this country would not function, so here’s a thought. Let’s recognise and reward those people who vote and pay their taxes and obey the law. Let’s pick one of them each week at random and give them back the previous year’s taxes, up to a limit of, say, €20,000, which will cover the vast majority of taxpayers. It’ll cost just over a million, which could take paid for by a price rise in the Dail bar. Let’s invite them to meet the Taoiseach and collect their cheque and be given a simple thanks for being a patriot and obeying the law. Sure, loads of people won’t be eligible because they don’t do what they’re supposed to do, and they’ll bitch about it, but so what? It’s time to tip the hat at the battlers and strivers who keep this country running.