THE comments by Senator Norris prior to his resignation, and the fact that he abused his Dáil position by writing letters on Seanad Éireann headed paper to unreservedly support his ex-boyfriend, who had been convicted of the statutory rape of a boy, show political blindness and clearly reveal personal ambition as being his raison d’etre.

APART from Senator David Norris’ letter to the Israeli authorities, questions need to be answered on why our Department of Foreign Affairs is not informed when our elected representatives make representations to any foreign authority?

THE content of David Norris’s rather pompous and verbose letter to the Israeli court on behalf of his former partner does not concern me.

I AM absolutely astounded by Terry Prone’s article (August 1) in which she protests that the media is so “balanced” on American affairs that the public is “confused.”

YOUR editorial “Economic recovery: Like the US, we must face stark reality” (August 2), mentions the anger over the levying of a €100 household charge.

IT is becoming increasingly obvious that Senator David Norris should quit the Presidential race.

AS a mother and grandmother, what I want to know, in the aftermath of the abuse reports, is that children are safe, that abused children, many now adults, are given the supports they need to heal and that abusers are brought to justice.

IT has been argued by thousands of human rights protestors, including Trocaire, in recent years that Ezra Nawi is merely a pacifist protestor in the mould of Mahatma Gandhi who has been unfairly prosecuted and convicted by the Israeli courts when he attempted to halt the Israeli Defence Forces demolition of Palestinians’ homes in South Hebron in July 2007.

AS one who is not yet decided on the candidate of my choice in the forthcoming Presidential election, I would undoubtedly feel deprived if my choice were limited by the absence of a candidate as gregarious, thought-provoking and vulnerable as Senator Norris, especially when this choice is limited by what appears to be a covert orchestrated campaign against him.

I FEEL again compelled to take issue with the nature of political, press and interest group reaction to the Cloyne Report and the ongoing fallout in terms of the Vatican’s relations with Ireland.