These homes will be rented at €1,000 below market rent. Wonderful and welcome news, as we all have a responsibility to look after the least well-off.
Unfortunately, there was not one word about how our key workers can no longer afford to live in Dublin.
Dublin is one of the few developed capital cities in the world that does not pay “weighting allowances” to retain key workers. We are educating them in the thousands to emigrate.
No city can function properly without key workers, and if this problem is not addressed then Dublin and Ireland will suffer both socially and economically in the future.
Many will argue that the rot has already set in and point to the scarcity of gardaí, teachers and nurses.
Will any member of the PAC have the courage to ask Mr Coleman if the billions being spent on housing by the Government do anything to solve the rental crisis for key workers in Dublin?
We need key workers more than they need us.
Paschal Taggart, Rathgar, Dublin 6
Trinity gives me hope by dropping slave advocate and honouring women
One notes that Trinity College Dublin has renamed the Berkeley Library after the Irish poet Eavan Boland.
This has come about after years of campaigning from students and staff as a way of celebrating those who use these buildings.
It’s important to remember that George Berkeley – Anglo-Irish philosopher, bishop and cannabis user – was a slave owner as well as being a vocal proponent of this egregious trade.
I found it incredulous that Ireland’s most celebrated philosopher was extremely flawed and fallible.
Trinity College never had any buildings named after women until now. This indicates to me a college that is modernising itself in meeting with the challenges of today.
It would be true to say progress is slow, but the arc of history always bends towards justice. I am delighted this renaming has occurred, as it is important that we always acknowledge the students who use these buildings.
What the renaming brings up for me is that there is no tradition too sacred to question.
John O’Brien, Clonmel, Co Tipperary
Sobering report on the state of the planet shows that change starts with us
This week has underscored the devastating impact of our current economic model on nature.
The World Wildlife Fund’s Living Planet Report reveals a calamitous decline in wildlife populations since 1970, with ecosystems like the Amazon and coral reefs nearing collapse (‘Tipping point near as wildlife populations down 73pc in 50 years’, Irish Independent, October 10). These ecosystems are vital for our climate, but also our food and health.
At the same time, the report warned of potential “social collapse” from climate change, with regions becoming uninhabitable and millions at risk.
Yet there is hope. Both reports stress that reversing this damage is still possible with radical, urgent changes in our economics, politics, behaviour and assumptions.
Change starts with each of us. By acting locally, uniting with others and demanding accountability from the powerful, we can spark the wider transformation needed to protect the planet.
Hans Zomer, Global Action Plan
It’s clear the Department of Agriculture favours the dairy sector over tillage
As a tillage farmer reaching Irish climate change targetsyears earlier than the target set by our Government, I do have to ask how is that we have to use Irish cream from Irish cows to make Irish cream liquors, yet there is no mention where the grain has to come from to make our world-famous Irish whiskeys?
The technical file covering both liquors and whiskey was drafted by our Department of Agriculture and I have to ask why is the imbalance in the two agricultural sectors – tillage and dairy – in favour of dairy? Why not protect the tillage sector in an equal fashion?
In a world of climate change, where I believe I produce a near net-zero carbon footprint product, where is the support from the Government for me and my fellow tillage farmers?
The Irish tillage sector has by far the lowest greenhouse gas emissions compared to other agricultural sectors, according to state body Teagasc.
Bobby Miller, Stradbally, Co Laois
Phones are a distraction to students and should have no place in our schools
I must disagree with Larry Dunne that “banning mobile phones in schools is just another excuse for teachers to assert control” (Letters, Irish Independent, October 10).
Teachers do need to have control in their classrooms and I don’t believe any excuses are needed.
A smartphone is not just a phone, it is also a camera, a calculator and a computer.
Schools are well equipped with calculators and computers, so there is no need for smartphones in classrooms.
A camera is not necessary in classrooms, either, and in my opinion smartphones should not be allowed in schools at all, as they can be used as tools of intimidation and bullying of both students and teachers.
Most of all, phones are a distraction to students who can hear message alerts if they have them in their schoolbags.
Marion Dermody, Co Kildare
Ciara Kelly’s article has brought back buried memories of torture
Ciara Kelly’s excellent comment article (‘Acts of abuse by trusted educators have devastating impacts reaching far beyond the boys who were the actual victims of these vile men’, Irish Independent, October 7) brought back some very unpleasant buried memories of my eight years boarding in Willow Park and Blackrock College in the 1960s.
One such memory was the priest who chased us around the fields of Willow Park trying to hit us on the bum with his biffer – a short, thick leather strap.
I actually remember running so hard as I knew being hit by this vile object was extremely painful.
Brian Mc Devitt, Glenties, Co Donegal
