A chara, – It is worth reminding people that while our country has a long way to go in achieving the ideals of 1916, we are lucky to live in a democracy whereby we have free and independent elections. Our personal and political freedoms and our relatively comfortable lifestyles are a far cry from what existed in Ireland as recently as the 1980s. Perhaps people should reflect on this and seek to do something for the common good and realise the importance of civil society. I hope we can all find something worthwhile in the many centenary celebrations to enhance our cultural and intellectual lives and for once leave aside mercenary and superficial concerns. – Is mise,
B DUNNE,
Dublin 7.