Sir, - The Taoiseach now blames labour shortages for the housing shortfall (September 13th). One wonders how Bertie Ahern spends his Kerry holidays. Does he not see the new holiday homes spreading from the golden beaches up the green hillsides? How come there's plenty of labour to build holiday homes that lie empty most of the year?
This pattern is repeated over much of the western seaboard. Planning controls on holiday homes in the countryside could divert scarce building workers to where they're badly needed. - Yours, etc.,
Celine Reilly, Clonskeagh, Dublin 14.