Frank McNally puts you to the test
1 In January, junior minister Noel Treacy was caught doing what:
a: Drugs
b: Bertie Ahern impressions
c: 95 mph in his chauffeur-driven car
2 Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary exploited a legal loophole by running what between his home in Mullingar and Dublin Airport
a: Sewerage pipes
b: A chain of bookie shops
c: A private taxi
3 "C'est deguellasse!" ("It's disgusting!") complained residents of the French village of Gallardon, in August. What were they talking about?
a: Beaujolais Nouveau 2003
b: The practice by foie gras producers of force-feeding ducks
c: The Byrne-Ahern wedding.
4. In Gaelic football, Ulster teams faced criticism over their controversial but effective use of what against opposing forwards:
a: Baseball bats
b: Electronic tagging
c: Blanket defence
5. The crisis in Kerry football was dramatically highlighted when Páidí Ó Sé was struck by what while standing on the sidelines at Croke Park:
a: The hijacked 5.25 train to Killarney
b: A supporter
6. Fine Gael's Enda Kenny surprised many in September by climbing:
a: The front of Liberty Hall
b: The popularity ratings
c: Mount Kilimanjaro
7. Michael McDowell controversially claimed gardaí were giving what to journalists:
a: Severe beatings
b: Advice on grammar
c: Information, in return for money
8. In a major tightening of the North's electoral laws, each voter in the November elections was asked for what at polling stations:
a: A pulse
b: A five pound note
c: Photo ID
9. Which bald but charismatic figure brought a tearful end to his distinguished Irish career in 2003, admitting his body could not take any more punishment:
a: Mr Justice Flood
b: Keith Wood
10. An IFA-sponsored DNA survey revealed that Brazilian what was being falsely marketed as Irish:
a: Soccer talent
b: Rain forest
c: Beef
11. The reality TV series Celebrity Farm created controversy because of:
a: An IFA-sponsored DNA survey revealing that the contestants were being falsely marketed as celebrities
b: Too much drinking on set
12. The title of the novel for which Cecelia Ahern secured a $1 million advance was:
a: PS I Love You
b: FO I Hate You
c: JP I'll see you at Leopardstown over the Christmas
13. Top golf club Portmarnock caused outrage by continuing to exclude which golfing minority:
a: People with good taste in jumpers
b: Women
14. There was a storm of criticism over the Minister for Finance's decision to invest 15 million in what at Punchestown:
a: Moscow Flyer
b: Beef or Salmon
c: An equestrian centre not big enough to host international showjumping.
15 North Dublin was the proposed location for a €7 billion what:
a: Unpaid tax bill
b: Equestrian centre not big enough to host international showjumping
c: Theme park
16 The GAA demolished which famous hill, long associated with Dublin fans:
a: Summerhill
b: Arbour Hill
c: Hill 16
17 There were controversial proposals to put what on stilts:
a: The Minister for Transport
b: Engineers replacing the Dublin Spire's aviation light
c: LUAS
18. A plane flew over Croke Park at the Special Olympics opening ceremony, trailing which message for the Taoiseach:
a: Thank you, Bertie
b: PS I Love You
c: Your dinner's in the oven
19. According to Ian Paisley, Brian Cowen got his big lips from what:
a: Doing Ian Paisley impressions
b: Pouting too much during photo-shoots for glamour magazines
c: Being stuck to the floor as a child
20 The jolly old philanthropist responsible for delivering toys to children everywhere this Christmas was:
a: Santa Claus
b: Tom Parlon