I never met Junior Minister for European Affairs and Data Protection and Cork North Central TD, Dara Murphy.

I agree with Ted Neville (Letters , 21 August)) in condemning the “appalling act of cruelty meted out to a family¹s pet terrier dog who died after his throat was cut”. I must, however, take issue with his comparison to “Halal and Kosher” methods of slaughter.

In recent years, the Irish government sent a booklet to every household in the country titled ‘Preparing for Major Emergencies’. The

What does it mean to be a democrat?

Most Irish people already know that hurling is the best field game in the world — bar none. And if ever conclusive proof of that existed, it was Sunday last (Aug 16), especially for those of us watching the Galway v Tipperary game on TV.

Fiona O’Leary (Letters, August 19) expresses frustration with UCC referring to autism as a disease rather than a condition. This is just playing with words, in my opinion.

In all issues to do with the HSE we see worrying signs. Stories highlighting how patient care has come second have been highlighted by Hiqa in residential care and in hospital scandals.

The Bishop of Cork and Ross, John Buckley, wants the body of “Little Nellie” to be exhumed from its grave at the now-derelict Good Shepherd Convent site in Sunday Well (Irish Examiner, 18 August).

Stephen Faughnan of the Irish Property Owners Association (IPOA), tells us “71% of landlords have insufficient income from their rental property to cover the mortgage repayment. This is an appalling statistic and unsustainable”. (Irish Examiner, Letters, August 19)

I never met Dara Murphy.