Nelson Mandela was not just a campaigner and leader for his own people. He was an advocate for freedom, justice and democracy everywhere.

Ireland has been manoeuvred into a position of subjugation by major international banks and financial institutions, investment banks, etc, who are gradually being exposed as cartels controlling interest rates and commodities markets worldwide and we were ‘easy pickings’ for them.

The need to reduce CO2 is accepted by the majority of climate scientists and must be addressed by our leaders.

Brace yourselves for an orgy of self-congratulation from Taoiseach Enda Kenny, Finance Minister Michael Noonan, and company, when the Troika ‘leaves’ next week, despite the departure being illusory.

Nelson Mandela believed passionately in education as the only sure route to a better life, and we in Breadline Africa are committed to keeping the flame of his legacy burning.

How about balance in the reporting of Nelson Mandela? The glowing tributes are too much.

According to your columnist Victoria White (Dec 5), Deputy Colm Keaveney’s move to Fianna Fáil “looks careerist”. Who knows?

House prices in Ireland are still economically outrageous.

Without doubt the Forbes magazine article on Ireland’s business-friendly credentials will have whiskey tumblers raised in glee at high-powered Christmas lunches in the coming days.

In his letter (Irish Examiner, Dec 7) Senator David Norris denounces the “43 political rotten boroughs with an electorate of approximately 1,000 electors” which makes up part of the Seanad electorate that he campaigned to retain. At the same time he is calling for the ‘reform and democratisation’ of the Seanad.