WHEN HE WAS the Minister for Justice Alan Shatter had a bit of craic twice a year reminding the general public about the clocks going forward and back.
This time last year, Shatter sent out a cheery enough press release pointing out that as ‘Minister with responsibility for Time’ he was reminding the public to put their “sensitive equipment and gizmos” back an hour. He also urged the public to enjoy the 25-hour day and “Carpe Horam” – seize the hour.
Prior to that, in March of last year, he took the opportunity, while reminding people that the clocks were going forward, to inform them that the new series of Dr Who was starting that weekend in what sources close to the minister described as a “bit of fun” at the time.
By March of this year however with under pressure Shatter on the ropes – it was less than two months before he would have to resign as minister – he issued a pretty staid release reminding people about the clock changes.
And as we prepare for the clocks to go back an hour this Sunday, Shatter’s successor Frances Fitzgerald is in no mood to have a bit of craic despite having made a bright start in her portfolio:
The Minister for Justice and Equality Ms. Frances Fitzgerald, T.D., would like to remind the general public that “Winter Time” will commence at 1:00 a.m. Greenwich Mean Time on Sunday 26 October, 2014. Clocks and watches should be put back one hour at that time.Winter time will end at 1:00 a.m. Greenwich Mean Time on Sunday 29 March, 2015.
We’re a bit disappointed to be honest and we’re not the only ones…
