I’ve followed and read the works of your columnist Matt Cooper for years, through newspaper articles and books, and have done so for nearly as long as I have participated in the development and growth of the Sinn Féin party.

Eamon Ó Cuív has shaken off the straightjacket of his party’s political whip and shown much-needed leadership by his refusal to endorse the European fiscal compact before there has been any real public debate on it, and the fundamental flaws in a deeply fraudulent international banking and monetary system remain unadressed and often unrecognised.

Recent enthusiasm by our political establishment for the gaming industry investment is disquieting, to say the least.

I thought we had left the guilt culture behind us many years ago.

The book A History of Irish Ballet 1927-1963 by Victoria O’Brien was published last October.

There is one key factor to be considered in coming to a resolution of the new national children’s hospital debacle and that is: Who will own and govern the new hospital?

Ultan Doherty (Letters, Feb 28) makes the point that if, as a 13-year-old, she/he understands the threat of fossil fuel depletion and global warming, then why can’t adults?

I intend not to pay any household charge.

We are told by our leaders, that in order to prevent the collapse of our institutions we must accept a loss of autonomy and vote for a European, financially-oriented solution to our economic crisis.

I wonder if it’s time for a new political party to be formed?