HOW can Ireland recover when we’re still being ripped off?

THE big freeze has wrecked many of our roads – none more so than the N25 between Cork and Waterford which is dangerous in places. Midleton roundabout, on the Waterford side, is in a shocking condition and drivers simply cannot avoid the numerous potholes.

FULL marks to Maureen O’Donnell (Letters, September 7). I want to compliment her for her realistic and constructive contribution to the upcoming referendum.

YOUR editorial (‘Ireland can’t dodge the big issues forever’, August 5) shattered my hopes.

I ENJOYED John Daly’s article (Weekend, August 1) where he took us on a movie location tour of Ireland.

IN every town and village there are fines for the owners of dogs that soil our streets.

AFTER intense lobbying by bookies who held meetings with Finance Minister Brian Lenihan, plans to double the rate of betting tax from 1% to 2% have been scrapped once again.

SOME Catholic church and political leaders now want the religious orders to reopen the deal made between them and the Government in 2002 on compensation for abused children.

I AGREE with Brendan Casserly (Letters May 12) when he says Brian Cowen, Brian Linehan and Mary Coughlan have two things in common: they are not up to doing their jobs and all three inherited their seats from their fathers.

YOU report Finance Minister Brian Lenihan as saying (March 18) Ireland is “now at the hangover stage as the party went a little too far” during the Celtic Tiger.

YOU quote (February 5) Finance Minister Brian Lenihan’s appeal to all sections of society to put their shoulders to the wheel. Does this mean all workers will get the same time off next Christmas/new year as all Oireachtas members have just had.

APART from the pictures of hands with rosary beads accompanying a few of your reports, I have found myself generally agreeing with your coverage of the abuse revelations concerning the diocese of Cloyne, of which I am a fairly committed member. Like many ordinary Catholics I have been very upset by the revelations.

YOU report (January 9) that a Government think-tank has called for an annual tax on homes to replace falling revenue from stamp duty.

YOUR editorial headlined ‘Dust could be a threat’ (December 8) horrified me, to say the least.

IN support of their case for destructive research on human embryos, Dr Tom Moore and Prof Tom Cotter make use of what they call ethical pragmatism.

IN HIS letter (November 17), Con Hayes presents a well-argued case for permitting the killing of human beings at various stages of development. However, in my opinion there are several flaws in his argument:

I AGREE totally with Ken Walsh (Letters, November 10). It seems we are now shamefully putting horses and greyhounds before the future health of all 12-year-old girls in this country.

ENVIRONMENT Minister John Gormley recently called for change in people’s behaviour which he hoped would be encouraged by new cycle lanes in Dublin.

IN her report on Pope Benedict’s visit to Lourdes (September 16), Angela Doland sings one of the oldest refrains of the enemies of the shrine.

AS a member of the Cork junior hurling team that won the All-Ireland championship in 1958 I am hoping to organise a reunion of all my surviving old teammates and the next of kin of those who have gone to their eternal reward.

IN your edition of May 16 there was a story about the disastrous earthquake in China with a photo of a grieving mother reaching for her dead child.

MICHAEL FUREY (Letters, February 25) seems to assume that anyone who disagrees with atheism does not “think with their heads”.

IN your editorial supporting same-sex marriage (November 3), you argue that everyone is entitled to have their human rights recognised and respected, and you seem to believe everyone should have the right to marry, even when that marriage is with someone of the same sex.

ONE of the saddest sentences I have ever read appeared in your issue of September 26.

AS I, along with family and friends, await appointments in various hospital departments, I am growing increasingly frustrated with the attitude of nurses and consultants.

CONGRATULATIONS on your front page article entitled “Apocalypse soon”, dealing with the report that warns of dire threats to Earth and mankind (Irish Examiner, April 7).

NOW that the cost of oil has fallen to a two-year low and the price of gas is being reduced dramatically, will the ESB reduce the price of electricity, or are they a law unto themselves?

I APPLIED for two passports at a post office in Dungarvan where I was told that for an extra fee of €12, I would have them returned in 10 working days.

IT’S amazing the technological world we live in nowadays.

HOW dare John Fitzgerald suggest that knife-wielding thugs and drug addicts should be conscripted into the armed forces (Irish Examiner letters, October 31).