We, the undersigned, wish to clarify matters in relation to news coverage of the poisoning of white-tailed sea eagles in Kerry.

This publicity has led to a number of letters by the public that are potentially damaging to farming interests in Kerry as they give the false impression of the widespread use of poisons.

We wish to state that it is our belief that the incidents in Kerry have resulted from accidental poisoning as a result of ingesting poison targeting foxes during the lambing period when foxes are known to take lambs. Thus, contrary to suggestions in some correspondence, eagles have not been deliberately targeted.

Further, we do not and have never condoned the use of poison illegally, either on fallen livestock or using banned substances. On the contrary, all our organisations are actively promoting the use of safer alternative means of control.

Farming in upland areas in Kerry complies to high environmental standards in order to produce a high-quality product. It is in none of our interests, or the members we represent, to support any activity that would damage this image.

Dennis Carroll, secretary, Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers' Association, Co Kerry

James MacCarthy, chairman, Irish Farmers' Association, Co Kerry

Gabriel Gilmartin, President, Irish Cattle and Sheep Breeders' Association

Michael Gottstein, Sheep Specialist, Teagasc, Co Kerry

Allan Mee, Golden Eagle Trust, Black Valley Beaufort, Co Kerry

Det Pat Kelliher, An Garda Siochana, Killarney, Co Kerry

failing the test

Having sat my Junior Cert three years ago and currently sitting my Leaving Cert, I must point out that Sinead Ryan (Herald, June 8) includes some critical inaccuracies in her article on memorisation by heart in the Junior and Leaving Certificates.

Most notably, the assertions that in subjects such as English that "marks are weighted toward the regurgitation and recitation of whole swathes of material rather than any analysis or context" and that "it's the fault of the exam structure" are incorrect.

The problem of rote-learning is not an inherent flaw in the Leaving Cert system -- it is simply the result of poor teaching methods.

The Department of Education has been putting emphasis for quite a few years now on 'engagement' on a personal level with many of the questions in English.

The problem is not with the course, it's with the notion that one can regurgitate an essay and get full marks; it simply doesn't work that way.

J Donnelly, Rathfarnham

gaga's just gross

Lady Gaga's most recent music video -- which features highly sexualised images coupled with Catholic religious symbols -- betrays her as nothing more than a mediocre Madonna wannabe.

She squirms around half-naked while abusing Catholic symbols. It is clear she has become the new poster girl for American decadence and Catholic bashing which she perversely fobs off as "creative art"

J Colbert, by email