BARACK Obama’s and Queen Elizabeth’s visits are a badly-needed boost for financially ailing Ireland and should be welcomed by all.

BRENDAN Howlin’s notion of moral persuasion might get a suitable fillip if President Mary McAleese leads by example and foregoes her unsustainable pension of €150,000 per annum for the rest of her life.

I WOULD like to raise a few issues relating to the article regarding greyhounds for China.

IS Tom Brett really serious when he says that Irish greyhounds will be looked after by Irish trainers and kennels hands in China (April 22)?

THE possible sell-off of Irish forests and bogs (but apparently not the land they grow on) — as put forward in the McCarthy report — is clearly ludicrous and economic nonsense.

THE recommendation, by John Herriott (April 23), that the people of Cavan should nominate Sean Quinn for the position of president is excellent.

I WRITE to congratulate Evelyn Ring on her informative article regarding the real and present danger of the contraceptive pill to women’s health.

NOW that the queen is visiting the door has swung wide open for the State to invade people’s liberty and violate their constitutional rights.

HOW will Queen Elizabeth’s entourage approach the English Market on her visit to Cork?