I am uncomfortable with the current narrative discourse in the media which looks back in dismay at the efforts of recent generations in taking care of the vulnerable and powerless in Irish society.

I was sorry to read your article "No plans to examine fluoride in public water, despite promise" (June 16).

Eamon Dunphys apology on Tuesday for using the four letter ‘F’ word reminded me of when I was 10 years old.

I write in support of the recent call by the Immigrant Council of Ireland (Irish Examiner, June 16) for the introduction of sex buyer laws in Ireland. The current legislative framework — Criminal law (Sexual Offences) Act, 1993 — is hopelessly outdated.

Your recent editorial ‘Democracy is being demeaned’ (Irish Examiner, June 17) is to the point, and perhaps more importantly — an honest re-run of the farcical developments evolving to date in the setting up of the banking inquiry.

The article by Denise Charlton, chief executive of the Immigrant Council of Ireland, (Irish Examiner, June 16) is a welcome reminder of the Government’s failure to act on the recommendation of the Oireachtas Justice Committee to introduce legislation targeting the buyers of sex and those forcing women into prostitution as a matter of urgency.

As we celebrate Bloomsday it might be of interest that while researching a biography of Arthur Griffith recently I was intrigued to discover a 20-year long relationship between himself and James Joyce, running from 1901 to 1922. While this was in the main in intellectual form, there was a close personal aspect to it at the start, middle and end.

Two years ago a report was published which denied that 198 children had died ‘unnatural’ deaths while in the sole care of the State. Some social workers believed the number to be far greater.

The story of the babies’ cemetery in Tuam has revealed a rather schizophrenic streak within Irish society.

With the sun making a welcome (and let’s face it, a deal-breaking) appearance, the Cork Summer Show, which ran last weekend in Curraheen, was a very impressive affair.