D Monday, October 5, 2009 METRO 17 Big in Berlin: Two giant marionettes during a street performance in Berlin, called the Giants, marked the 19th anniversary of the re-unification of Germany on Saturday Picture: Reuters The Big Picture 2nd times a charm M&S jobs: The queue last week Firstly to Confused but amused, a 2007 report by the Department of Marine and Natural Resources stated that Ireland has 130billion barrels of oil and 50trillion cubic feet of gas, off the West Coast of Ireland, meaning we have the fourth richest oil and gas reserve on the planet. Ireland also has 25 per cent of the total waters of Europe. Under EU quotas, we get four per cent of the fishing quota whereas 96 per cent of our fish are taken by the Portuguese, Spanish, French etc and as a result we lose billions every year. To Disgruntled Citizen, you say its beyond you why people would blame the Government for the housing bubble. Section 23 enabled property investors to buy dozens of apartments and houses which forced people who were looking to purchase a home, simply to live in, to pay far over the odds for such a greedy luxury. To Justin Deegan, maybe youre right, there is no comparison, because the Norwegians would never stand idly by as all their natural resources were taken from under their noses. Tiarnan Lee, Dublin A very surprising swing has taken place since the first Lisbon Treaty was rejected with a 53 per cent to 46 per cent majority. No one could have expected the 2:1 margin in favour of a document that some Irish ministers have said they have not even read. Any objective person would question the size of the margin in favour of a treaty, in a country of growing EU scepticism on a hotly disputed treaty. It should be pointed out that no supervision exists at count centres during an election or referendum, leaving it wide open to fraud. Maurice Fitzgerald, County Cork Dublins best-read letters page Metro Mail E-mail letters to mail@metroireland.ie with a name. Or text us. Text MAIL followed by comment and name to 53131. *Texts cost 30cent per message + standard network charges. SP. Oxygen8 Communications, Hospitality House, Cumberland Street South, D2. Customer service number 0818286606 talk to us Cycle chaos: Has anyone issued guidelines on how to use the Government-issue bikes? So far I have seen one on a footpath, one cutting in front of cars and, to top all that, one almost knocked me down when I was crossing with the green man on DOlier st. Have we paid to allow hundreds of people to break the law! Lucky to be alive, by e-mail Roy is the greatest: In response to John Graham, Roy Keane never let his country down and is one of the greatest Irishmen ever, if not the greatest, which is why he still gets a lot of media attention. Most Irish people dont even know who Chris Hughton is, which is why he doesnt get much media attention. James, by e-mail No regrets: I hope all of you who voted Yes last Friday will accept the consequences of your actions and not moan and complain when the promised jobs fail to materialise and health and education are sold off to the private sector, leaving schooling and sickness to become a luxury for the rich. Patricia, Dublin 3 In Brief Now that the Government have their precious little Yes vote to the Lisbon Treaty, how long will it take for the promised jobs to materialise? They may have gotten the Yes vote through fear-mongering and bully tactics at a time when the economy is going through a recession, but lets not forget, Marie Antoinette was overturned when her people were left starving and hungry. So Mr Cowen, now that you have sold your people to Europe, where are our jobs? John Malley, Dublin To all you morons, holding up everyone on OConnell St. When you pick a simpletons job that only requires a driving licence and a sat nav, then you cant complain about other people doing the job. You dont see heart surgeons moaning about overpacked operating rooms! To the Garda, how can you justify these idiots blocking the busiest street in Dublin! Take a look at the hundreds of poor folk queuing for a part-time job in M&S! Stephen, Dublin Sendusyour txt Regarding public preening I was on the Luas last week where a girl whipped out her tweezers and mirror and boldly proceeded to pluck her chin hair, with full audience. Is there no shame? Disturbed, Dublin Aaron, look at the bigger picture, muppet! Trains/Darts are overcrowded at peak time you are taking up room on the floor which is a health and safety issue. So get your lazy ass off the floor and think of other passengers. The Anti-Aaron and schoolboys gang Im a builder and I voted FF in 2007 because their posters promised me more boom. I voted Yes to Lisbon because the posters promised recovery. I see Brian Lenihan on TV3 already denying recovery was promised! Have I got it wrong again? Bob Irish Democracy born around 1916, injured at Nice and was assassinated at Lisbon 2009. Rest In Peace. Anon txt MAIL to 53131* index.html2.html3.html4.html5.html6.html7.html8.html9.html10.html11.html12.html13.html14.html15.html16.html17.html18.html19.html20.html21.html22.html23.html