The Taoiseach recently unveiled an initiative to seek skilled ex-patriots to return home. 

The US can embed sophisticated hacking tools within the hard-drives of personal computers built by some of the world’s bigger manufacturers, according to research based in Russia.

The US has developed a way to embed sophisticated hacking tools within the hard drives of personal computers built by some of the worlds bigger manufacturers, according to research based in Russia.

Regarding human rights, it’s clear that the US and UK governments practise double standards and hypocrisy.

About a year ago, I read an article where an American scientist explained that as we age people develop dementia but how it was possible to ward it off by taking daily dietary supplements of DH4.

When the late American showman PT Barnum was asked to what did he owe his great success, he replied; “sure there’s a sucker born every second”.

Gordon Cunningham (Letters, December 13) is correct in pointing out that no one knows when Jesus was born and that the Christian choice of December 25 may well derive from the pagan Roman celebration of the Sun.

It’s that time of year for good cheer; goodwill to all men and, oh, begrudgery on behalf of the non-believing community. Just in case we were too optimistic, Gordon Cunningham (Letters, December 12) sought to put a damper on proceedings.

It’s ironic that we celebrate the nativity of Jesus Christ on December 25, because nobody knows when Jesus was born. This observance was not general until the latter part of the fourth century.

Perhaps the answer to Gordon Cunningham’s query as to why the Minister for Foreign Affairs Charlie Flanagan was so vocal in his call for sanctions against Russia, and not against Israel (Letters, October 20), is the tacit recognition by the government that the imperative behind the two actions was different.

I think it’s ludicrous that out Foreign Minister Charlie Flanagan has pledged nearly €3 million of taxpayers money towards reconstruction in the Gaza Strip, due to the massive destruction caused during the 50 day war between Israel and Hamas in which 2,145 Palestinian citizens lost their lives.

We should forget World War I and seek peace.

It’s shocking the revelation that the taxpayer will stump up almost €20m to cover severance payments to local councillors who either lost their seats or who retired after the recent local elections. Departing councillors are in line for significant severance payments.

I do not fully agree with Gordon Cunningham that dinosaur bones prove the futility of religious belief (Letters, Irish Examiner, May 31).

Scientists in Argentina have uncovered what could be the largest dinosaur found (Irish Examiner, May 21). Those scientists say it roamed the Earth more than 90m years ago.

Since 1823 the US has maintained the Monroe doctrine, which prohibits non-American interference on the American continent, north and south.

At least we were not alone in treating orphans and children belonging to unmarried mothers abominably in the past.

We are all saddened by Nelson Mandela’s death but it was interesting to see the British media try to rewrite history to make it appear their government was anti-apartheid and pro-Mandela.

Since Minister for Social Protection and Welfare Joan Burton’s government came into power, pensioners have to pay a pension levy and universal social charge on their private pensions.

It was ludicrous how Alastair Campbell, Tony Blair’s spin doctor, was feted by the media and others when he arrived here to launch his new book, The Irish Diaries.

I agree with the main point in Gordon Cunningham’s letter (Nov 8) that Ireland should not be donating large amounts of money to countries that are misusing this money.

It’s absurd that when vulnerable adults and children are facing cutbacks to the availability of medical cards, etc, our Government has borrowed millions to give as aid to foreign countries.

The late Stephen Jay Gould, the evolutionary biologist, had frequently pointed out that humans were not the dominant life force on earth, bacteria was.

Barack Obama has stated that the Syrians have crossed the red line in using chemical weapons.

Vincent Browne is to be admired for his new programme Challenging God. After all no one has ever proved a god exists.

People in Latin America and South American countries claim the Americans are great champions of independence movements, except in their own back yard.

It’s reported President Barack Obama was very humbled after a visit to Robben Island Prison in South Africa where Nelson Mandela was incarcerated for 18 years.

Unlike many other countries such as USA, Canada, Australia, Portugal, etc., who insist the bulk of their overseas aid to needy countries must be used to purchase goods from manufacturing agents in donors country.

With the disclosures by the St Vincent de Paul Association that 100,000 citizens approached them last year for support, and head teachers saying many pupils come to school without a breakfast, it’s absurd that our government has to borrow money to give to other countries as aid.

When Queen Elizabeth met with Martin McGuinness recently it was noticeable that the Queen kept her gloves on when shaking hands.

After arriving in Ireland from Norway where she had received the Nobel Peace Prize and a million dollar cheque, Aung San Suu collected her Amnesty award.

Listening to the Business Programme on RTÉ Radio (Jun 2) presented by George Lee, I was very surprised to hear George asking American Ambassador Rooney what economic advance he would give the Government.

It’s very obvious to spot the double standards and hypocrisy of Western countries.

IT’S ironic that former US President Bill Clinton was invited recently to speak at an Economic Global Forum at Dublin Castle to advise our citizens and government how to overcome our economic recession.

FINE GAEL presidential candidate Gay Mitchell must believe we all have a short memory span because he was very explicit in his reference to the electorate who voted ‘No’ in overwhelming numbers after the first Lisbon Treaty in 2008.

HAVING parachuted Martin McAleese into a position as a senator, Justice Minister Alan Shatter has announced that he has appointed President McAleese’s husband to oversee a committee set up to clamp down on any state interaction with the notorious work houses.

RECENTLY the Vatican released excerpts from the Pope’s second volume of the New Book “Jesus of Nazareth”, where the Pope made his theological evaluation, Pope Benedict XVI named the “Temple Aristocracy”, and not all Jews of the time, as the “real group of accuser”, who wanted Jesus condemned to death for declaring Himself King of the Jews.

CHARLIE McCREEVY used flawed arguments in his rebuke of Fr Sean Healy’s case for a fairer economic society (Irish Examiner, September 13).