There are now grave problems with the banking system in this country. Danske Bank have bailed out of our dear Republic.

It seems everyone is worried about banks leaving Ireland, because it will lessen the competition.

In reference to your article with respect to a prospective rates increase in Co Cork (Irish Examiner, Oct 30) the councillors quoted in that article are essentially talking out of their backsides and have no grasp as to the very real problems that people are facing, not only in business, but on the dole, with no hope of starting a business due to the rates required to do so.

As a General Election draws closer we are beginning to hear FF and ex-FF TDs sounding like hungry coyotes howling in the bright moon.

The selection of Martin O’Neill and Roy Keane as managers of the Irish soccer team is inspired.

Gary Spedding of Queen’s University Students’ Union (Letters, Oct 31) brands those facts that contradict his argument as Israeli government ‘propaganda’.

Why does the Revenue not call this November payment a preliminary tax payment for 2014, as happens with tax for the self-employed?

I refer to your article ‘Troika chief: Pharmaceutical drug costs cannot be justified,’ of Nov 1, in which it was stated that “the costs of pharmaceutical drugs in Ireland were three times more than your nearest neighbour”.

There is a lot of irony in these post-Halloween days. We have managed to arrange a Monster Web Festival, a truly magnificent technological event worthy of celebration as Dublin authorities launch a No-Water festival.

Recently (Saturday, Oct 26), my wife and I — a pair of 70-plus-year-olds from the country, having visited a few days with friends, got on the Dart at Glasthule with a view to getting to Heuston Station via Connolly and Luas.