I simply had to write to your paper to congratulate the cash desk staff on the first floor in Marks and Spencer in Merchant’s Quay, Cork.

After a week of blanket coverage of the Obamas’ visit to the G8 and the island of Ireland, the Irish people would be better served by one hour or page a week discussing Irish support for US foreign policy.

Clare Daly, in her contribution to Leaders Questions, did nothing more than highlight hypocrisies prevalent in global politics, where Western leaders preach peace and democracy, yet practice violence and coercion.

I write to congratulate Colette Brown (Opinion, Jun 18) on her timely and important article on the treatment of women.

While there is growing speculation that the forthcoming budget might include income tax cuts, I think it is important that we consider reform of the Vat system instead.

Terry Prone (Opinion, Jun 17) forgets that politics is the art of the possible and that no party or movement has ever come to being on the strength of ideals and convictions alone.

Last week Prime Time did a very sad feature on the trauma and devastation caused to families of victims of hit and run accidents. It highlighted very many important issues in this area.

So Michelle Obama wants the Irish youth to “dream big” and allow their imaginations to “soar high”? Who said that we Irish didn’t dream big and have “soaring” imaginations?

The proposed development plan for Limerick seems to emanate from the dreams of planners, and architects, and that could be its downfall.

Without wanting to cast a shadow on the very worthy JFK visit commemoration, it’s worth remembering that barrel maker Patrick Kennedy’s voyage to the United States took place a mere 10 years after the holocaust of the Great Famine.