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This is a fascinating question. In the event of default by the State at some future date, one could envisage the creation of a heirarchy of claimants, with holders of post office savings accounts etc. getting priority over holders of government bonds. Another possibility is that the first 200k...

6.5% yield on 10 year bonds I bought a shed-load of 6.5% bonds for my pension fund on Friday, the logic being that I will continue living in Ireland, come what may (I'm too old to think of emigrating); I have some money in Post Office Bonds, and these bonds have to be as safe as money invested...

There's a big demand for maths graduates in financial services. Risk management is the new mantra in the light of recent spectacular failures in this area, particularly among the banks. Every institution wants professionals who can help determine the 1 in 200 or whatever probability of ruin...

Sorry for the long delay in giving my promised update! As you might have gathered from my last post, I opted for Oxo Tower for our main dinner. No regrets, it was most enjoyable, the view was terrific and it felt like a special occasion. The restaurant staff were also extremely friendly and...

Thanks for all the tips. I'm about to make my final decision based on your recommendations. I will give you an update on my return! Incidentally, my daughter (through her friends) advised the Oxo Tower. I'm inclined to accept it, not only because I don't want to seem ungrateful to her, but...

I would appreciate recommendations for a nice restaurant in Central London for dinner for wife and me plus daughter and boyfriend. We're staying in Oxford St/ Park Lane area but could venture furtehr afield for dinner. I would like a good quality place but not too fussy. We eat everything! Any...

I know it won't make or break me, but am I supposed to put a stamp on a letter to the taxman? On a wider level, in what circumstances is a stamp NOT required on a letter (other than FREEPOST)?

Thanks. Based on your advice, I probably won't bother buying.

Suggest you get the medical aspects checked out first, ideally with a doctor who knows how life insurance underwriters rate different conditions. If you're living in the Dublin area, probably the best bet is Dr. Paul Gueret in Baggot St.

Can anyone advise if it's worth buying an e-reader and if so, which would you recommend?

Re: Strange Telephone Call I got a call this evening from 00123456789. There was no-one on the line when I answered. I was going to ring back but decided not to, as I reckoned that it was an international number that would have cost me a fortune.

Assuming that you don't have any health problems, you are probably best advised to lapse the policy. It should be possible to buy the same level of life cover (assuming you need it of course) at a cheaper price - or alternatively get higher cover for the same price.

Thanks Swallows. I'll follow up on your offer. Gearoid, I agree that the third is not a good reason; actually, I would enjoy the company of younger people, even though it's closer to 40 rather than 20 years ago since I would have left university, if I'd gone there in the first place! The...

I'm thinking of starting a maths degree with Open University. Their courses seem quite expensive but I'm prepared to make the sacrifice if they're worth it. Does anyone have experience of OU - doesn't have to be in maths, but obviously experience in this or a related area would be appreciated...

Thanks for the tip. If it doesn't work, nothing lost, since there's no value in keeping the money there at the lower interest rate

The last comment doesn't seem to make sense to me. If landlords are forced to sell up, who is going to buy? Most likely another landlord who can afford to rent the place for less, because their capital outlay is less. End result: no immediate let-up in the downward pressure on rents.

Touche - partially. I counted Peter Murray on the same side as FO'T, in claiming that Fintan missed worse problems with tax relief for private sector pensions. I missed the letter on telecoms privatisation in my trawl. OK, one letter of disagreement.

Sorry, I should have said apostrophe'd Obama. It's too early on a Sunday morning for me!

Thanks for posting the link. I went through the letters back to September 08 and they support 100% the point I've been making. The only letters that were published disagreeing with Fintan O'Toole's views on economic or financial matters were from "Important People", such as Charlie McCreevy...