A chara, - The predicament in which the residents of Enaville Avenue and St Patrick's Road have found themselves is a potent example of the plight facing many tenants in rented accommodation throughout Dublin.
Twenty-nine families living in these houses in Dublin's inner city were given four weeks to quit their homes one month ago by their landlord. Most of the families on the road are single-parent families, dependent on social welfare. Following a picket they held outside the planned auction of their homes, the landlord decided not to sell them - only to double their rents.
The possible result of this is an economic eviction, showing that, for all our talk of a "Celtic Tiger", the Ireland of today would still provide ample material for a Dickens novel. Such a situation is a moral abomination to the people of this country. However, from a legal and statutory standpoint, it remains unchallenged. Despite their Constitutional requirement to provide all Irish citizens with a roof over their heads, Dublin Corporation and the Government have failed these citizens, and many more besides.
It is utterly unacceptable that many housing applicants in Dublin spend five, six or even seven years in very overcrowded accommodation, and that some applicants are on this list for anything up to 14 years. The Dublin housing waiting list stands at an incredible 7,000 families, while the figure for the State is 50,000 and there are hundreds of children walking our streets, many of them sleeping out in the Taoiseach's own constituency.
This is not, however, an issue which affects only those on lower incomes. Many families and young couples on middle incomes are also unable to purchase a decent home, and many, especially students, feel that their rights as renting tenants are being abused. Like that of the deplorable state of the health care system this issue affects people right across the board.
What is clearly needed is a state housing company, accountable to the people and directed by the people. A democratic alternative, and one which is demonstrably a practical alternative also. Why has the Fianna Fail/PD government not considered this option? - Is mise,
Cllr Nicky Kehoe, (Dublin North Central), North Strand Road, Dublin 1.