In the US, many places, especially in the eastern half, are experiencing record high temperatures. Just the other day, New York City broke its January temperature record with a temperature of 70F (21C), a temperature more akin to May than to January!

Yes, folks, we're finally starting to feel the effects of global warming, and it's going to get worse unless urgent action is taken to drastically curb greenhouse gas emissions.

I think we're all going to have to make serious sacrifices if we want to save our planet. I want to know, are you prepared to make those sacrifices now, instead of leaving it to the younger generation to clean up the mess?

Paul Kinsella, Lorcan Grove, Santry, Dublin 9.

Why is government lining Shell's pockets?

CONGRATULATIONS to Diarmuid Doyle for highlighting the scandal that is the Corrib gas giveaway.

The government cannot be let away with lining Shell's already bulging pockets with the wealth from the natural resources of this country.

The billions created by the government demanding a fair share of the take from our natural resources could build countless hospitals, schools and community centres for our citizens.

The question we need to ask, and which Diarmuid Doyle, raised, is very simple: Why is our government standing by and letting this happen?

Chris O Ralaigh, Bothar Naomh Aine, Droim Conrach, Baile Atha Cliath 9.

Sinn Féin was sold a pup - or a pig?

THERE is a great deal of difference between the dignified and noble way that David Ervine went about his business in advocating non-violent change before his recent untimely death and the completely arrogant and ignoble way that Sinn Féin representatives have conducted themselves in recent negotiations.

Both David Ervine and the Sinn Féin leadership came from similar working class backgrounds, and yet only David Ervine has actually learned the lessons from their delinquent origins in violence.

Only David Ervine had the wisdom to accept that violence does not serve the interests of the working class, and only ever demeans the humanity of those who use it, working-class or otherwise. To see Sinn Féin representatives in their deeply flawed negotiations with a much more able British Government and yet hear their arrogant claims about their achievements is to hear a party that is still using the threat of going back to violence, or at least the threat that they'll let others do that for them, to win concessions.

The only problem with that approach is that Sinn Féin is blinded by the threats they are implicitly making against others to the extent that they don't realise that they are being sold a pup when they think that everyone is bending over backwards in servitude to them.

A recent example of this was over MI5. Would Blair really have been so daring as to put one over on Gerry Adams? The answer is as the SDLP's Alex Attwood said, yes. Getting an education made David Ervine humble. It seems that Gerry Adams could do with both a little humility and some education.

John O'Connell, Derry City, Co Derry

THERE is nothing remarkable about Tony Blair selling the MI5 to Sinn Féin. The remarkable thing is that Sinn Féin actually bought this particular pig in a poke from a British prime minister.

Brian Rooney, The Heights, Downpatrick, Co Down.

Medical workers should be released

THE fact that five Bulgarian nurses and a Palestinian medic are at present facing the death penalty in Libya is unacceptable. They have been sentenced for allegedly infecting 462 children in a hospital in Benghazi with the HIV/Aids virus. These sentences have been imposed notwithstanding the body of international expert opinion that these medical workers are completely innocent of these charges. I met with president Gaddafi's representative to the EU recently on this issue. I gave him a letter for the attention of president Gaddafi and I urged the Libyan leader to release these workers on humanitarian grounds.

A diplomatic solution is needed to resolve this matter. The EU, and, particularly the German presidency of the Union must play a central role in securing this agreement with the Libyan authorities as a matter of urgency. The human tragedy of 462 children being infected with the HIV/Aids virus in Libya must not be compounded by unjust and unacceptable judgements being passed on six people for crimes that they simply did not commit.

Eoin Ryan TD MEP, European Parliament, 43 Molesworth Street, Dublin 2.

Politicians should put family top of agenda

MUCH like the environment, the society we inhabit is showing serious signs of disintegration. Communities are struggling to keep it together.

Families, the bedrock of civilization and social order are challenged to a degree that social commentators with their fingers on the pulse, have expressed serious concerns about. I will keep this short.

I, as a concerned citizen of this state call on all political parties, who truly care to place the welfare of the family at the top of their political agendas.At this time there may not be adequate political gains (votes) in following such a philosophy but like the environment, the potential for catastrophe is a very real truth.

Jim Jackman, Park Drive Court Castleknock, Dublin 15.

Becks/Bucks deal is out of this world

WHAT would we do without the USA? They stage a world series games that the rest of the planet does not participate in and now they have invited an alien to join their galaxy!

Keith Nolan Caldragh, Carrick~on~Shannon, Co Leitrim.

Fine Gael needs to really look to youth

OVER the past two weeks, both Damien English and John Deasy have called for a generation skip with regard to the leadership of Fine Gael. I can only see one problem with this. FG may well now chose to skip two generations to pick a new leader following both deputies' childish antics. To the 12 year olds of Ireland:

Beware - FG are looking for a leader! ! !

Donnacha Maguire Fr Mc Cullen Park, Kells, Co Meath Where the lords have no shame. . . .

IF BONO and co knew anything about history they would be very reluctant to accept honorary titles from the British monarchy.

Was it not Queen Victoria who said: "The Irish people are a really shocking, abominable people - not like any other nation."

Is it not time for the British monarchy to apologise to the Irish people for the suffering they have caused over the years.

Diarmad �? Gráinne, Mullach na Sí, Co Roscomáin.