Sir, - I'm an Australian who lives in Melbourne, and I have a soft spot for Ireland, which I've visited a few times. Having seen media coverage of President McAleese's state visit to Australia, I have been struck by the powerful way she personifies her nation - contradictory at times and struggling with change, but always with genuine decency and self-deprecating humour.
For the country she was elected to represent, she fosters unity at home and inspires honour abroad. By remaining with the status quo in Australia, we're settling for a system which is second-best in comparison by a long way. - Yours, etc., Dr Stephen Parnis,
Newport, Melbourne, Australia.