ARTICLE five of the constitution declares Ireland to be “a sovereign, independent, democratic state“.

WITH the imminent demise of the Air France service from Shannon to Paris there will be no early-morning connection to mainland Europe outside Dublin (save for one heavily subscribed and overpriced Aer Lingus flight to Amsterdam from Cork).

THE funding cuts of 12.5% for the National Office of Suicide Prevention (NOSP), as you reported on March 12, underlines the lack of proactive thinking on the issue.

YOUR report headlined ‘Tears and tantrums at Lisbon hearings” (November 21) did less than justice to Cóir and to those who had misgivings about the Lisbon Treaty and voted no.

THE Irish military mission to Chad has been delayed because of the struggle for power there.

THE Big Ballot was a schools project organised by the Ombudsman for Children, Emily Logan.

BARONESS Warnock recently addressed the Conference on Assisted Human Reproduction at Dublin Castle.