Mary McAleese, on Mar 23, 2010, then our President, on an official visit to Turkey “reaffirmed Ireland’s strong backing for Turkey’s accession to EU membership”.

The proposed ‘public execution’ of Seanad Éireann sums all that is wrong with this Government.

We have disturbing anomalies in our animal-welfare code. A few days ago, the alleged killing of a rabbit on a Dublin housing estate drew a swift police response.

In order to cut off any argument from those in favour of retaining and reforming the Seanad, that abolishing it would leave too much power with the Dáil, and to show that he is genuine about real political reform, Enda Kenny could ensure that the reforms he recently set out for the Dáil, as limited and unimaginative as they are, should be complete and in place before the referendum on removing the Seanad.

I disagree with the letter (‘Financial emergency is on our own soil’, Jun 6), which sets up a choice between the needs of Ireland’s sick and those of the poorest people in the world.

So the stage is set, now that Taoiseach Enda Kenny is pushing ahead with an October referendum to abolish the Seanad.

I would like to commend Victoria White for her excellent article (Opinion, June 6).

Advise Enda Kenny that truth is more important than PR. Fancy words will never replace honesty.

It is with a very heavy heart that I write to you and ask that you reconsider the posters which you have installed in locations around the country, alarming visitors and residents.

The announcement by the Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairi Quinn, of the Government’s ‘sign-off’ on the creation of three technological universities is welcome.