Sir, – It’s interesting that a spike in house prices, particularly in Dublin, coincides with a reported shortage of supply. Clearly, the market, the beast that brought us to near disaster in 2008, is still being allowed to rule. Keeping it at the centre of national life is a recipe for another major blow.
Its apologists will, of course, trumpet the price rise as a vindication of recent national policy, and a good thing. Yet a rise in the price of milk is not, usually, seen as a good thing. In fact, the house price rise threatens to betray another generation of young people.
Leaving the provision of homes for them in the hands of private developers, and, thus the market, is a pretty staggering abrogation of national responsibility. A home is a sacred thing, and its integrity should never be threatened by unscrupulous profit-seekers.
A less laissez faire approach by national agencies is, clearly, called for, for the worship of false gods is not recommended in any religious tradition.
The creation of a department of housing might be a useful first step, one appreciated by thousands of worried young couples. – Yours, etc,
KEELA FREELEY,
Beechville,
Clonard,
Wexford.