Sir, - Over the past 4½years, the governments have distinguished themselves in our national response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. This was not accomplished without political cost in dealing with the housing crisis and the advent of far-right political actors. The Aughinish Alumina problem is extraordinarily thorny, and an enormously important employer in the Limerick region is under the microscope. Thousands of people derive their household income directly or indirectly from the processing plant in Aughinish.Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelenskiy pointedly referred to the controversy surrounding Rusal and ASK when he visited Ireland recently. This Gordian knot domestically suspends a very loud clanger internationally, and reputation really matters when the State goes about its business in all other areas.We rightly extol the value of due process in this country, but there is a way of avoiding things that resembles a search. When quasi-judicial inquiry and published reports enter the equation, so too do squadrons of lawyers. The standard of proof becomes steadily elevated until facts become impossible to ascertain as facts and truths, which should be obvious to anyone, become practically abolished. Zelenskiy leads a large European democracy that is threatened with subjugation or extinction by a much more powerful neighbour. Ukraine is fighting for its life, and this existential struggle should resonate in Ireland. The facts reported by Conor Gallagher and the investigative team at The Irish Times clearly support more decisive Government action here, and no amount of double-bonded, immaculately headed paper will change or obscure that. There is a disjointedness and lack of concert among the EU member states that is difficult to understand. This may yet become as big a test for Europe as it is for Ireland. - Yours, etc,Michael Deasy,Bandon, Co Cork.Sir, - Regarding Aughinish Alumina: If it looks like a duck, swims like a duck and quacks like a duck, it’s probably a duck. Time to do the right thing, folks. - Yours, etc, Rachel McCormac, Blackrock, Co Dublin.