Sir, – I would like to add to Joe Glackin’s excellent list of questions he asked about Ireland (Letters, August 10th). My questions are as follows:Why is there one Minister for both Climate and Transport who is simultaneously trying to reduce carbon emissions while at the same time lifting the passenger cap at Dublin Airport, thereby increasing carbon emissions?Why is the same Minister exposing us all to a legally binding fine of up to €26 billion for our – now guaranteed – failure to meet our 2030 carbon reduction targets?Why is the Catholic hierarchy in Ireland allowing the Christian Brothers to frustrate the efforts of victims of child abuse by members of their congregation? Why are the Government and local authorities allowing far-right protesters to abuse our national flag?And finally, why are so many of our younger children being educated in substandard temporary prefabricated buildings and in large classes with inadequate support from special needs assistants. – Yours, etc,GARY DOYLEStraffan,Co Kildare.Sir, – I find myself agreeing wholeheartedly with Joe Glackin’s letter (“Some Questions About Ireland”) and can add another. Why are we continuing with the Shannon water pipeline at an estimated cost of €6 billion (who believes it will stop there?) instead of building a modern desalination plant in Dublin (and fixing the leaks in the system)? Some basic research online suggests that it could be built for less than €6 billion and would most likely be far less disruptive.Regarding why we keep voting for the current Government (more or less) despite their inability to solve our problems, I agree it is because we have trusted the alternatives even less.However, we must be getting close to the point that we’ll just have to give them a go. – Yours, etc,PÁDRAIG KIERNAN,Rathfarnham,Dublin 16.