Your article (‘One parent families facing benefits reduction’ 6 February) restates the government’s claims that their cutbacks coming in later this year will help mothers and fathers get back to work.

APPARENTLY Health Minister Mary Harney, among other activities on her 15-day trip to New Zealand, is meeting members of the Irish community there.

FURTHER to Seamas Rattigan’s concern (Letters, September 1) that companies like Intel can spend as much as they like promoting their view on the Lisbon Treaty, one wonders if these companies will be charging these advertising and PR costs against their sales income and, if so, will the revenue commissioners allow this as a deduction for corporation tax purposes? Will the auditors even pass such expenditure?

YES, I too would like a referendum on our health service as Dr Christine O’Malley and Dr Bertie Daly suggest (Letters, June 27).