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CHEAP EATS:We’re embracing frugal eating at home, but we still want to step out from time to time with friends and family. What are restaurants doing to keep our custom as we tighten our belts? Tapas anyone? Pizza? Pasta? Neck of lamb or foot of pig? We don’t mind, as long as it’s good food at a reasonable price, and – here’s the real challenge – sourced in Ireland whenever possible. Make “Eat Local” your mantra, writes TOM DOORLEY.

IF ALL THE rumours had turned out to be true, half the restaurants in Dublin would have closed by now. There is a national weakness of character as far as bad news is concerned, a kind of unhealthy glee, a barely disguised pleasure in the misfortunes of others. Especially as far as restaurants are concerned.