The Last Straw

1. The Government, controversially and without a referendum, joined what earlier this month?

(a) The Mile High Club

(b) The Freemasons

(c) Partnership for Peace

2. Eircom, formerly known as Telecom, took what dramatic step in 1999?

(a) Answered one of their telephones

(b) Floated on the stock exchange

3. There was shock in political circles when a car used by Sinn Fein was discovered to have what?

(a) air freshener

(b) a bumper sticker saying "my other car's a ministerial merc".

(c) listening devices

4. Sinn Fein's Bairbre de Brun and the DUP's Peter Robinson: What's the story there?

(a) Separated at birth

(b) Hatched from pods left by space aliens

(c) Actually the same person - have you ever noticed they never appear anywhere together?

5. There was increasing concern among parents about the graphic sexual content of what:

(a) pop songs

(b) Kerrygold ads

(c) the Late Late Toy Show.

6. The budget contained controversial proposals aimed at encouraging which group of people to join the workforce?

(a) TDs and senators

(b) Eircom operators

(c) Stay-at-home parents

7. Racing driver Eddie Irvine narrowly missed out on what?

(a) a pleasant personality

(b) the Formula One Drivers Championship

8. Which controversial heavy-weight called Mike, famous for his bite, made a comeback in 1999 to mixed reviews?

(a) Tyson

(b) McDowell

9. There was a row between the Central Bank and Dublin Corporation after the latest generation of highly-sensitive parking meters refused to accept what?

(a) Native Irish speakers

(b) personal cheques

(c) 1999 £1 coins

10. Turkey was formally admitted to which ever-lengthening queue?

(a) Countries being considered for EU membership

(b) Countries scoring soft, last-minute goals against Ireland's soccer team, because we haven't got a central defence.

11. US presidential hopeful Al Gore controversially claimed responsibility for inventing what?

(a) Electricity

(b) The spinning jenny

(c) The internet

12. Michael Portillo made a political comeback despite admitting he had experimented with what as a young man?

(a) Electricity

(b) Conservatism

(c) Homosexuality

13. There were red faces at NASA in the face of total silence from a multi-million dollar probe launched onto the surface of:

(a) Al Gore

(b) Mars.

14. Australians voted narrowly against declaring what?

(a) taxable income

(b) a republic

15. Scientists controversially grew what on the back of a mouse?

(a) Genetically modified beet

(b) A big piece of cheese

(c) A human ear

16. Which republican group defied mounting calls for a cessation and performed regular atrocities throughout 1999?

(a) The Wolfe Tones

(b) The Real IRA

17. Boy band Westlife were embroiled in controversy when they:

(a) Acquired body hair

(b) Stayed in key all through their debut single

(c) Promoted the Poppy Appeal

18. The female athlete of the century, according to an international poll, was

(a) Fanny Blankers-Koen

(b) Anna Bolic-Steroid

19. Which Dublin-based station continued to attract increased numbers following a major revamp two years ago?

(a) Heuston Station

(b) Pearse Street Garda Station

(c) Today FM

20. Northern Ireland's new parliamentarians adopted what sinister-sounding designation?

(a) the Red Brigades

(b) the PLO

(c) the MLAs

21. And finally; he's a jolly man in a suit whose mission is to bring happiness to children. But many people just can't believe he really exists. Who is he?

(a) Santa Claus

(b) The Northern Ireland Minister for Education