MINISTER OF State at the OPW Brian Hayes was in Waterford on Monday to turn the sod on a major flood relief scheme for the city.

Hayes, who was joined by local TDs John Deasy and Paudie Coffey, was loudly heckled by anti-household charge campaigners who crowded in around the politicians and council officials, waving placards.

The event was recorded for posterity and photographs were dispatched to the local newspapers, but not before somebody considerately removed all evidence of the protesters from them.

Not a placard in sight.

Hayes tells us he felt like Phil Hogan, what with all the attention he was getting from the protesters.

“Brian Hayes, we know where you live!” they shouted at the TD for Dublin South West.

He overheard a protester behind him say to her companion: “What’s he here for anyway?”

And she replied: “He’s here to plant a tree. I wonder what that’s going to cost us.”

Hayes turned to her and said: “It’s worth €8.5 million.

“It’s the most expensive tree ever planted.”