As one who has campaigned for Seanad reform for over 30 years and played a role in the recent referendum I greatly regret that due to the fact of my temporary hospitalisation I cannot take part in today’s debate on Seanad reform led by Taoiseach Enda Kenny.

Victoria White (Opinion, Oct 16) highlights gastroenteritis as the cause of 50% of GP visits by children aged under six in Australia and repeats the correct statement that breast-fed babies are four times less likely to suffer from it.

With regard to Éamon de Valera’s vision of Ireland, I challenge the writer of your editorial (Irish Examiner, Oct 21) to show the readers where de Valera in his writings or speeches referred to ‘comely maidens dancing at the crossroads’?

The Environment Directorate of Cork County Council wishes to absolutely refute the suggestion in your article (Oct 15) that the prohibition on the burning of bituminous (ie smoky) coal is unenforceable.

I am writing in response to your article (Irish Examiner, Oct 15) by Caroline Doherty entitled ‘Mothers who lose a child to suicide at risk themselves’.

On budget day, I watched, with growing disgust, our politicians in their expensive business suits, as they sat on their luxuriously upholstered thrones meekly doing the bidding of their Troika masters.

It was nice to read the Archbishop Michael Jackson’s recent comments on sectarianism alive and well in Dublin. Great that the Bishop has found his moral compass and that he has had the courage to be guided by it in what is Ireland’s shame.

Communications minister Pat Rabbitte declares that he ‘can live with’ a reduction of €5m paid by the Department of Social Protection to RTÉ in respect of ‘free’ television licences provided as a component of the household benefits package.

How about trying a different approach to Corporation Tax?

Now that we have retained the Seanad, perhaps we can turn our attention to another pillar of democracy that is under threat.