We are concerned about the damaging effects of non-native trees in Ireland. We are sixth-class pupils of Scoil na nÓg, Glanmire, Cork, and, as part of a project for the ECO UNESCO, Young Environmentalist Awards 2014, we are researching the damaging effects of these trees.

The tragic deaths of young people as a result of the internet drinking game are giving rise to a media flurry of shock headlines.

In response to the excellent article by Conall O’Fatharta (Irish Examiner, February 4), I am outraged by Minister Fitzgerald’s response that all adoptions were carried out and sanctioned by the Adoption Board (AAI), after 1952.

Louise O’Keeffe is remarkable; her innocence was destroyed by an agent of the Irish State, yet her naivete regarding a politician’s apology remains undimmed.

I am a 28-year-old warehouse worker in Dublin, originally from America.

I am sick of homophobia. The ignorance, fear and smear that attend it. Not every older, single, unattached person is gay.

Communications Minister Pat Rabbitte’s press release on the debate on gay marriage is disturbing reading for any democrat.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny’s response to the worst floods in recent memory, announcing that the Government had “put together a humanitarian fund of €15m, pending an assessment”, for those affected, somehow left me underwhelmed.

What is all the fuss and hype about Garth Brooks?

I don’t like work.