Sir, – I note the apology from the Construction Industry Federation (CIF) at the banking inquiry with amusement and dismay, in particular the suggestion that the organisation had expected a "soft landing" for the housing market ("Parlon says CIF must accept responsibility", May 13th).
I see no evidence that the CIF has “learned lessons” from the economic collapse. Its 2015 budget submission recommends the establishment of a “help to buy” scheme, which would stoke demand in the property market, pushing prices up (and margins for developers), without actually increasing supply and reducing housing need.
Shamefully, it continues to call for changes to a proven way to ensure that social and affordable housing is built alongside private housing, Part V of the Planning and Development Acts 2000-2006. Plus ça change? – Yours, etc,
GRAINIA LONG,
Belfast.
Sir, – I betray my advanced years in admitting that a character portrayed by the late Dick Emery came to mind when absorbing some of the media reporting of the banking inquiry. Emery depicted a feckless adolescent who continually made a hash of dealing with relatively straightforward situations. Upon realising his ineptitude, he turned to his long suffering father and said, “I got it wrong again, Dad.”
A lot of the evidence presented could be summed up thus. Perhaps some of the techniques most effective in dealing with feckless adolescents might be applied. – Yours, etc,
PAT CARMODY,
Collinstown,
Co Westmeath.
Sir, – May I join the ever-increasing number of apologists attending the banking inquiry and apologise for thinking little will come of this expensive exercise, as an apology without action is worthless! – Yours, etc,
MG STOREY ,
Glencar,
Sligo.
Sir, – The money being spent could be better used to help the needy and those giving evidence are certainly not short of a few euro either.
Why are we bothering? – Yours, etc,
PAUL KEENAN,
Killiney,
Co Dublin.