ONE of the great mysteries of the M3 motorway was why they were so insistent and went to so much trouble to put it through an pristine archaeological landscape of the Gahra valley.

FOLLOWING Archbishop Martin’s recent comments made whilst speaking in Public at the “Ethics For All” themed series of Public Lectures, at the Mater Dei Institute for Education, I would like to point something out.

WE have been told over and over again — usually by well-off people, that ”we must all share the pain” if we are to get out of this recession. All share the pain? I doubt it.

FOR most people St Patrick’s Day is a day of parades, parties, leprechauns and green beer. But just as Christmas is about more than commercialised fun, so too does St Patrick’s Day have a deeper meaning.

THE anti-British rhetoric coming from some quarters in this country to Queen Elizabeth’s visit is hard evidence that there are those who are determined to live in the blood-drenched past.

THE fact that the reactors in trouble in Japan are over 40 years old and holding up very well to such an assault goes unsaid. Back then modern technology was in its infancy.

DISCONTENT in the Labour Party about the allocation of ministerial posts, which last week centred on the appointment of Joan Burton, has not dissipated.

AMIDST the justifiable public concern at the make-up of the new cabinet and ranks of junior ministers regarding gender, there seems to be little debate at the decision of the new government not to appoint a junior minister for older people.

WITH the pressure now from the EU to change our corporate tax rate, how many readers remember Declan Ganley warning us that this would happen under the Lisbon Treaty.

I WAS interested in your report on the proposed dental factory in Ballylanders, and the reply from Mr Fintan Hourihan of the Irish Dental Association.