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Just what is the rural Ireland that some fear is endangered? Why does the debate so often centre on bachelor farmers driving to the pub, while ignoring widows, single parents and disabled people – and the disintegration of local businesses and communities?

THE IMAGE OF rural Ireland took another hammering this week as a ruckus of backbenchers, spearheaded by Mattie McGrath for Tipperary South and Jackie Healy-Rae for Kerry South, rushed to defend the right of mountainy men to drink a pint or two before driving home. Urban folk rolled their eyes as they sped back from the long weekend playing Marie Antoinette-style shepherds and milkmaids in their rural holiday homes, or hopped on a handy Luas for a look at the marathon. Not our problem, sweetie, switch on Lyric. . .