D Friday, December 4, 2009 METRO 19 Natures canvas: A dense, eerie blanket of fog rolls over hills surrounding the historical city centre of Perugia in Italy Picture: Reuters The Big Picture Timetable terror At last: Iarnrd ireann launches the new Dundalk commuter... Disgruntled Droghedian, I would love to name the so-called genius who devised the new train timetable. Unfortunately, names cant be divulged. But you can be assured they are an office fat-cat being over- paid by taxpayers money who has had all year to devise the timetable, but has still made loads of errors. So many, in fact, that most of the already printed timetables will have to be reprinted! And, yes, you guessed it, at the taxpayers expense. Its time the Government audited Iarnrd ireann management, believe me they would make Fs look good! BJ Are Irish Rail the biggest pack of morons or what? They change a timetable but the early train gets you home later... And why does the train stop four times between Connolly and Clontarf? Any train drivers care to explain? Moany Eoiny Brian Cowen has said public sector workers could take 12 days unpaid leave over the next few years and service levels would remain unaffected. This clearly implies that most public service departments are operating with a huge staffing surplus. The taxpayer has no option but to facilitate this perpetual wastage and bear the financial brunt. This blatant lack of conviction and integrity from the Taoiseach is frightening. The unions have taken a constrictive grip on this countrys economic resurgence and recovery and a precedent needs to be reset whereby the elected Government has control of the countrys future. Its obviously regrettable, but pay 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 Fools: Kev, what exactly would you like Africa to send the Irish flood victims? Some bags of rice? Or a time-machine to reverse decades of brainless and corrupt planning and development, which allowed thousands and thousands of houses to be built on known flood plains, coupled with local authorities which failed to dredge rivers and maintain drainage systems? Kevin, grow up. Mr Cranky, Dublin 7 Replay: Anyone who saw the BBC Panorama programme a couple of years ago on how corrupt and dictatorial Fifa are as a sports governing body would not be in the least bit surprised at their recent handling of the most despicable event to ever occur in the game. Maybe the programme needs a repeat showing to enlighten a bigger audience. Peter Ironic: Gordie Brown, we are doing what the Government advised us to do shop around for the best value. Until the rip-off ends, people will shop elsewhere. Your whinging and bitching against Britains involvement in Iraq is ironic Shannon Airport allows US military aircraft to refuel there on their way to Iraq. Oops, there goes the greenhouse... Jboy In Brief and/or people have to be cut to provide a viable long-term solution to the deficit. Brian Coward If the Government and unions have agreed to unpaid leave on top of a generous paid-leave entitlement for public sector employees, then clearly there is not enough work for all of these employees. When this situation arises in my line of work, employees are demobilised or made redundant. Have the unions unwittingly sealed the fate of redundancy for some of their members? Time to jump this sinking ship! JD Neil, please allow me to pull you up on two points. Firstly, as a civil servant, being forced to take 12 days UNPAID leave so that the rich and well- connected can continue to enjoy their lifestyles is soul destroying. But whats worse is the vindictiveness and naivety of people like you who believe the spin peddled by those with ulterior motives. Secondly, its Derek Zoolander, not Eric. UpsetPete Sendusyour txt Kev, asking how much aid Africa will send Ireland considering our current situation is the least intelligent thing thats ever been printed here. Youre an idiot! Darragh Neil, a quick point. His name is Derek Zoolander, not Eric. Even I know that, and Im not a great eugooglizer. Hansel Mairad, right now Im looking at a big sign that says timetables have changed. And my station had a sign up. And the website... Twillix To everybody writing in to whine about Fifa, the World Cup, France, Thierry Henry, Blatter blah blah blah... Get a grip, its only football. Shel C Thierry Henry cheat, Tiger Woods personal sins. Roger Federer must be crapping himself... clean cut indeed! CJ Jaysus, Im so broke these days I have to slip-stream behind buses on my nephews old Heelys, although the state of Dublins roads leave my joints in a perpetual state of jelly-like ambivalence! Bump 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.html24.html25.html26.html27.html