Channel tunnel tender

When the Channel Tunnel was under consideration, a request went out for tenders for the construction. International companies sent in quotes but the lowest came from the Reilly Brothers of Sligo - total cost £150.

'How can you tender for such a low amount?' inquired the government official.

'Well,' replied Reilly, 'it's because there'll be two of us digging at the same time. One from France and one from England and we meet up in the middle.

'But,' said the government man, 'you've only got to be one centimetre out and you'll miss each other completely.'

'In that case,' said Reilly, 'you'll get two tunnels for the price of one!'