AT times, generally around elections, one hears politicians, of all hues, complaining of the stresses and strains of being a servant to our democratic society.

THE report that fewer budget flights are being taken as companies, like Ryanair, hike their prices for “low-cost” flights by 12% this year, didn’t surprise some of us at all.

IN answering Eric Conway’s dilemma over what atheists stand for (June 8), I cite Stephen Roberts when he states “I contend that we are both atheists. I just believe in one fewer god than you do. When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods, you will understand why I dismiss yours.”

ANTHONY WOODS (June 3) claims there is no need for a Presidential election as we already have the “creme de la creme” in office. Mr Woods also stated that “our beloved President should be offered the job for life”.

IF we need a head of state, with all the material and other rewards that accrue to this office, we need a person who is dignified, measured in speech and sound in judgment.

I WOULD have thought that Enda Kenny — our Taoiseach — would by now have realised that this country is in deep, deep trouble at all levels of society, and should start taking the high moral ground and thereby show leadership, rather than the finger pointing he persists in carrying out during Dáil debates and blaming the last government for all our current ills.

LOOKING at the Leaving Cert timetable, I am amazed to see that Applied Maths and Religious Education are on at the same time, Friday, June 24, from 9.30am-12pm.