Amidst the tsunami of verbal diarrhoea we have had to endure from the Irish media during the President’s visit to Britain, one phrase that was used, confused me.

When I saw the photo of the little Jack Russell on your front page.

Your front page and editorial (Irish Examiner, April 5) regarding lack of high-speed internet in primary schools was unnecessarily alarmist ie lack of internet in primary schools ‘’could stymie a whole generation’s appetite for learning.’’

Much has been made of the first UK State visit by President Higgins and the improved relations between the two countries.

Re Ray Kinsella’s universal health insurance report, I have the following observations, as a retired orthopaedic surgeon:

As a resident of Killester, I take issue with your Clontarf correspondent’s support for a British Army memorial here (Irish Examiner, April 3).

A report in the Washington Post (April 4) reveals that in June 2009 “Bernie Madoff was sentenced to 150 years in federal prison” for defrauding investors of at least $18bn and “in the past five months, at least three Vietnamese bankers have been sentenced to death”.

It is often alleged that U2 reduced their tax liability by moving their accountancy base to the Netherlands. The real issue is why taxes are so high in Ireland.

Plain packaging on cigarette boxes will not reduce smoking, despite the Irish Government’s intention to follow the UK’s lead.

Dreaming is an Irish characteristic. You cannot operate Cork-to-New York nonstop flights with a 757, or anything else, for that matter.