IN light of recent events in Europe, would it be prudent for the EU Commission to create a procedure for orderly withdrawal from the euro by individual countries, if necessary?

I FELT it would be remiss not to take you to task for your editorial (October 25), unconditionally and uncritically eulogising Mary McAleese.

I WRITE in relation to the intervention by the EU Commission’s Director of Economic Affairs last week in relation to the high costs of medical care in Ireland (Troika reviewer hits out at Irish legal and GP fees, October 21).

SO, Europe’s financial crisis will be solved by throwing a couple of trillions at it?

REGARDING the latest EU summit, Taoiseach Enda Kenny said “EU leaders have acted in a decisive manner and the deal allows for a much improved environment within the eurozone, in which Ireland can focus on creating real opportunities for jobs and getting people back to work.”

MINISTER Varadkar said the message was to encourage people not to drink at all if they intend to drive.

THE race for the Áras is now over and whoever takes over I wish them well.

MAURICE Fitzgerald has his history backwards (Letters, Oct 25).

OVER the past two decades President Mary McAleese and her predecessor Mary Robinson have fulfilled this office with dignity, initiative, diligence, honesty and integrity.

WE live in a great country. Throughout the last century, we have built a civilised inclusive society by providing universal, free, quality education, accessible healthcare, basic social security and impartial justice. Without these, life in Ireland would be closer to that in the developing world.