Sir, – I am concerned that journalism around housing in Ireland does not address the significant ecological cost of building houses. Justine McCarthy writes that “€13 billion would fund the construction of 32,700 three-bedroom houses” (“Apple tax: Ireland owes its lost people €13bn worth of houses,” Opinion, September 13th).
Ireland is facing two major crises – housing and ecological. Constructing three-bedroom houses helps tackle the housing crisis but it carries a significant ecological cost that needs to be acknowledged.
Think about how many plants, animals, fungi, insects and trees have their homes destroyed due to housing estates.
I believe that the conversation must turn towards apartment living. How can we build our cities up rather than out? How can we change our attitude to apartment living and normalise raising families in apartments?
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Irish nature is in a critical condition. Fixing the housing crisis with more housing estates will further shrink the habitats of wild animals and species so let’s start incorporating nature into the housing conversation. – Yours, etc,
KEZIA WRIGHT,
Salthill,
Galway.