Straight to the POINT

÷ AS an ‘a la carte’ Catholic, I feel totally invigorated by Mary McAleese’s refusal to accept the male-dominated, out-of-date attitudes of the Vatican. Of all our former presidents, it’s worth noting that the only two to have made an impact on the world stage, after leaving office, are women (Mary Robinson being the other). Food for thought... JOHN BYRNE, Co. Dublin. ÷ REGARDING smartphones, surely it’s up to parents to police whether children have them or not? We’ve enough interference from the Nanny State. FRANK FARRELL, by email. ÷ I WAS saddened to hear Ken Dodd has passed away. It reminds me of an old joke: Man one: Did you hear Ken Dodd has died? Man two: Did he? Man one: No, Doddy. KEVIN LAWLOR, by email.