Once upon a time we all knew what censorship was, who the good and bad guys were, and what could be done to make the world a better place.

THOUGH it has never held a less-than-prominent place in modern western thinking, the turbulent political and social events of the past few years, perhaps exemplified most clearly of all by the tragic and horrific attack on the Charlie Hebdo office, have moved the issue of Free Speech — and by extension, freedom of expression — to the very forefront of our consciousness.

MANY Irish people, it seems, regard Angela Merkel — the German chancellor as near as certain as to returned to power after the German federal elections on Sunday — to be the modern day version of Margaret Thatcher. And, by extension, like her as much, regarding each as hostile to the interests of the Irish.

Your editorial (Nov 28) refers to the “European project”.

IN THE 1920s, the Irish Free State was, if not wholly independent, then at least democratic.