I DO not know why there is so much surprise at the number of people leaving the country.

I HAVE just read that ex Foreign Affairs Minister Micheal Martin is to receive a severance payment of €95,000 for quitting his job.

MARY HARNEY’S decision to depart the Irish political scene comes, tragically, years too late.

MARGARET Thatcher has been out of office since the early 1990s, yet her imprint on Britain and Ireland has outlived her premiership by two decades.

I AM writing to you following the publication of Mr Teegan’s letter (January 17) and Ambassador Modai’s response (January 20).

WELL the Muppet Show continues in Fianna Fáil. By God these TDs have learned nothing.

MUCH of what Matt Cooper writes about Mary Harney (January 15) cannot be argued with and it is important to remind us all that she and her “free market” thinking was at the core of what pushed our country into ruin.

I WAS delighted to see Brian Cowen win the Fianna Fáil vote of confidence. I must state a vested interest because for seven years since the introduction of the smoking ban, I have loathed Michael Martin.

AT this rate the Queen of England well be here before a general election.

I WISH to add my experience as a member of VHI for 50 years to that of Kay Doyle (January 11).