An Bord Pleanala has declared that the planned new Children’s Hospital is too big for its site in central Dublin.

Pathways to work? My God, what next? The Government has beaten the lot with this illegal practice.

The rejection of the new children’s hospital in Dublin by An Bord Pleanala could be a blessing in disguise, as it can now be looked at without the vested interests of the Dublin consultants, and the “Dublin at all costs” brigade.

Your editorial (Opinion, Feb 23) on the children’s hospital “farce” was apt and to the point.

May I correct one statement in Richard Fitzpatrick’s article (Features, Feb 16) on the escape of the double-agent George Blake from Wormwood Scrubs in 1966 with the collaboration of Seán Bourke and assistance from Pat Pottle, my wife Anne, and myself.

The news that the Government wish to sell its stake in Aer Lingus when conditions are ripe is deeply disappointing.

The report of councils losing money on parking fees puts paid to the myth that they are just a means of “milking the motorist”.

There is much to be said for a country of Ireland’s size having only one embassy in Rome.

On the subject of cutbacks that include children’s allowance, social welfare, health services, to name but a few, I think it’s time we looked at that elite and privileged section of society — ie the politicians who are on a different planet to the rest of us when it comes to living standards and who have absolutely no idea what it is like to try and survive from day to day.

A few low-grade Paypal jobs and AIB paintings — a positive and easily pleased person like Mr Kenny would perceive these to be real signs of recovery.