The Government has enacted legislation for what they describe as the most significant reform of local government since the foundation of the State. They promised greater devolution of powers from central government to local councils.

Desmond Fitzgerald’s latest, tiresome personal attack on Taoiseach Enda Kenny fails to mask the bizarre logic of his views on abortion (Letters, 28 August).

I am baffled as to where the CSO’s recent figure of €919 comes from. Who in the public sector earns this amount a week? Please, I really want to know. 

While not taking issue with your columnist, Fergus Finlay’s views on the suggestion by Richard Dawkins that it would be a moral and sensible choice to abort a child with Down Syndrome before birth, I am at a loss as to how he can be a member of a political party whose policy it is to support and legislate for those who would wish to end an unborn life on that very basis.

Conall ÓFatharta’s report, Irish Examiner Aug 25, on the very high infant deaths at Bessborough House in the 1940s is not merely stale news but also absurdly unbalanced as it omits crucial facts. The principal blame lay with the state regulators, not the nuns – and certainly not with religion or the Catholic Church.

If Dublin, was in Mayo’s position, with a play-off against Kerry, you could be damn sure they would have the replay at Croke Park.

Albert Reynolds’s state funeral was a fitting honour for a great man notable for his honesty, integrity and ability.

Albert Reynolds’s state funeral was a fitting honour for a great man notable for his honesty, integrity and ability.

This week, I visited a grave at Glasnevin Cemetery, which is maintained by the Sisters of Our Lady of Charity, the order that ran Magdalene Laundries at High Park and Gloucester/Sean McDermott St. For 11 years I have made this journey, but this occasion was different, because I witnessed the grave being opened by the grounds staff. This shock was followed by the realisation another former Magdalene woman had died while in the care of the nuns.

Did I blink during the RTÉ live coverage of Albert Reynolds’s funeral or did no prominent member of the unionist/loyalist community come to Dublin to pay their respects to the former taoiseach?