you can quite easily rent planes in Ireland and I would go so far as to say it is down to the instructors judgement on letting you away with the plane after a quick check ride.
PM me for names and numbers if you have any trouble from the links provided.
Pace, you have opened my eyes a little. that is a neat trick adding to the policy yourself to protect from junior pilots.
Plenty of availability here in the recession...
Rgds,
Fionn