Congratulations on the Winds of Change spread (Irish Examiner, April 7) — the start of sensible discussion on a topic that affects every Irish resident.

While I welcomed the State visit of President Michael D Higgins to Britain, I’m not sure it has sealed the end of an era, as has been suggested.

I sat down to read Health Minister James Reilly’s opus on universal health insurance, to see if thought had been put into improving healthcare delivery.

Mairead Maguire and Ann Patterson, members of the Peace People of Northern Ireland, are currently visiting Iran and Syria from April 4-16 as part of an international delegation.

My Irish Examiner informs me that a Wicklow car hire service was paid over €82,000 to ferry around the US First Lady, her two daughters and entourage during a short visit to Dublin last June.

I was looking forward to the gala concert at the Royal Albert Hall, as the finale of President Michael D Higgins’ visit to Britain. How disappointed I was.

As one of those mentioned in Victoria White’s original article on this issue (‘Prime Time’ and RTÉ are in denial of the truth about climate change, April 3), and in the light of Donogh Diamond’s defence of the programme in question (Existence of climate change never at issue, April 7), I would appreciate an opportunity to comment briefly.

With over 600,000 retail customers and 30,000 business customers for gas and electricity already established on this island together with Irish gas soon to be piped ashore, the selling, by our Government, of Bord Gáis and the modern gas power plant at Whitegate is a blunder of monumental proportions.

The President’s State visit to the UK and the noble sentiments expressed confirm the wise old rural maxim that a neighbour next door is better than a friend faraway.

There are deals and there are deals. In my view life is all about dealing.