President Michael D Higgins’ successful State visit to Britain marks the normalising of relations between us and our near neighbours. That was the easy bit.

An Irish-language online news site is not what we need to nourish the cúpla focal. We gather in countrywide weekly ciorcail cainte to chat, plan, discuss news of the Irish language, but, lately, we have had no ‘tools’ to further our cause in keeping it alive.

Last Friday, April 11, marked the opening of the Titanic theme park in Cobh, in remembrance of all those who lost their lives during the sinking of the Titanic on April 12, 1912.

Health Minister James Reilly paints a rosy picture of the future of Irish healthcare (‘The Health Service Needs to Change and Now Is the Time’, Irish Examiner, April 10). It is interesting that his missive is juxtaposed with an article by Chris Goodey, who warns loudly of the crisis in general practice.

Finance Minister Michael Noonan’s statement that fears of a new housing bubble are ‘wildly exaggerated’ must not go unchallenged.

I am not averse to emotion, so l was lumpy-throated and dewy-eyed when president Michael D Higgins visited Britain recently.

Your clear clarion call to Rehab and its erstwhile CEOs (by two) — “Come clean or lose funds” (editorial, April 10) — could, of course, be applied to many so-called ‘voluntary’ agencies across the country.

Our President’s highly successful state visit to Britain marks the normalising of relations between us and our neighbours.

The coastline in front of Lissadell House must be the most expensive real estate in Christendom.

Just when you think (from Mr Shatter’s viewpoint and the Government’s welcome relief) matters cannot get worse, along comes much welcome ‘relief’ courtesy of the two (who might very well sue me if I mention their names — not to mention their ‘earnings’) from Rehab to take centre stage.