Breandán Ó Loingsigh (Irish Examiner, Letters, 28/1/2015) is concerned that children up for adoption will be randomly assigned to same-sex couples, depending on the adoption queue.

“Did he not have a constitutionally powerful tool at his disposal ? He also had the choice to resign rather than sign it.”

Padraic Neary is right to complain about the hypocrisy of the political and media classes [Irish Examiner, Letters, January 30].

Public disagreement and criticism should never include insulting language or behaviour which of their nature betray a weak argument and insecurity of conviction.

I had reason to require a visit to the Eye Clinic of Cork University Hospital recently. I took my place in the queue.

I have never believed in a hierarchy of respect and nobody, whether president or pauper, should ever be subjected to personal abuse.

Well, we have grown up, even if it did take much longer than it should have. Now, can Leo go on to be the first openly gay party leader or even taoiseach?

I am disheartened and dismayed to hear that the Tuam Graveyard Committee wishes to make representation to Minister Reilly in order to ‘implacably oppose’ the exhumation of the Tuam site.

The expressions of indignation and condemnation from some in government at the heckling of President Michael D Higgins by anti-water charge protesters in Dublin smacks of double standards. (Water charges protest - Attack on President crossed a line, Editorial January 29).

While I agree with Edward Horgan (Letters, January 28) that “perpetrators of genocide are often not held to account”, his comment that “many people are justifiably opposed to crimes against humanity committed by Israel against Palestinians” is disturbing.