King Edward VII’s hospital where the unfortunate nurse who took her own life worked, had no right to contact the Australian radio show to complain about the young presenters who were only having a bit of broadcasting fun regarding the royals.

So the Labour Party wanted the top income tax rates of 55% for self-employed and 52% employee increased to 58% and 55% respectively, ‘in exchange’ for a basic dole cut, whatever that means? And Fianna Fáil’s Michael McGrath thinks that isn’t ‘progressive’ enough, whatever that means?

It is deeply ironic that Ireland as a neutral country should be lavishly hosting such a collection of warmongers and abusers of human rights all at the same event.

Bad as the content of the budget was, I was also appalled at the behaviour of the Taoiseach and Tánaiste when the opposition spokespersons were responding to the budget speech.

Your editorial, ‘Why can’t we learn from history?’ prompts the suggestion that the writer revisits history and engages with opinion in the North before reaching for the empty cliché and worn stereotype.

Now that Germany and France have ruled out a debt deal for Ireland similar to that doled out to Greece, it is time to act.

We have a strange and confused attitude to animal welfare in this country.

Before the end of 2012, I would like to express thanks to three greats of Irish soccer – Shay Given and Damien Duff, who retired this year, and Richard Dunne who has been plagued by injury.

Your editorial entitled ‘Violence in Belfast’ contains a number of errors.

The budget is a body blow for parents with autistic children.