We have been told, repeatedly since the last budget, that people would see an increase in their incomes this year, that the economy had taken a turn for the better, and that we would all benefit after years of hardship.

I was surprised that junior minister Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, who is leading the Government campaign on gay marriage, doesn’t seem to be familiar with the rules governing referendums.

Here is my list of 2014’s highs and lows.

I enjoyed the excellent concert at Cork City Hall, which starred the lovely New Zealand jungfrau, Hayley Westenra, ably accompanied by the Cork Youth Orchestra. 

Dr Kevin McCarthy’s [Irish Examiner, January 2] defence of Israeli policies cannot go unchallenged. 

I am an Irish nun, working abroad, and I read with interest the news from Ireland. An ongoing concern is water charges. 

As a lay Catholic, I have several issues with RTÉ’s programmes on the occult.

I would like to compliment Frank Murphy, the secretary of the Cork County GAA board, for his comments on the refereeing in the football and hurling championships.

If apologists for 1916 and Fenian terrorism can remove the scales from their eyes, they will perceive Westminster had wanted to remove itself from any form of direct rule in Ireland from as early as 1913 if not earlier.

Resulting from Christmas week’s sad case, a number of commentators have attempted to use this tragedy to bad-mouth those who dared to vote yes to the pro-life amendment in 1983.