Letters: Why we must use Constitution to restrict ownership of homes to one per person

The grandiose pledges of building tens of thousands of homes, as touted by the current Government over recent days, falls short in addressing the underlying issue of affordability that continues to trap a generation in their parents’ homes.

Even if the Government was to succeed in constructing the promised homes, the affordability crisis persists, leaving many unable to break free from the shackles of high rents and unattainable property prices.

How can ordinary citizens possibly compete with the likes of vulture funds, pension funds, and seasoned landlords armed with substantial financial resources?

The harsh reality is that as long as individuals are pitted against such formidable entities, the dream of owning a home will remain out of reach for many.

It is evident that the commodification of family homes has only exacerbated the situation.

The proposed solution lies in a constitutional amendment that restricts home ownership to one property per person, aligning with the principles enshrined in Article 43.2 and the notion of serving “the common good” as outlined in the preamble.

It is imperative that policymakers acknowledge the urgent need for comprehensive reform to address the root causes of the housing crisis.

Thomas O’Connor, Crumlin, Dublin 12

Climate change is like a religion – and it’s vital the atheists are converted

The debate around climate change is somewhat like that around the existence of God.

There are the believers, the non-believers and the agnostics.

There is now scientific evidence that global warming is taking place, but there is also scientific evidence of an ice age over two-and-a-half million years ago which lasted about 10,000 years.

We are also certain that carbon emissions or man-made activity had little to do with that ice melting.

Many people feel helpless around the whole climate-change debate.

It’s such a vast topic that a type of futility has taken hold amongst people at large.

When a problem appears so vast that no individual action alone can fix it, a type of shrug-of-the-shoulders mentality takes hold.

There is also a huge degree of finger-pointing over who should pay the price. Rapid climate change is something that no country or even continent can solve on its own.

It has probably replaced nuclear war as a greater threat to the human race. Yet there are many very influential people in the world who believe the threat does not exist or is overblown.

If it’s to be treated as an emergency then we must convince the many sceptics.

Joseph Kiely, Letterkenny, Co Donegal

Surely we can spare a state adviser to figure out secret of Gibraltar’s success?

It looks likely the non-EU population of Gibraltar will soon be free to roam the common area at will as their land border with Spain is no longer an issue.

Meanwhile, we Irish are obliged to queue, in both directions, to have our European passports scanned and entry approved.

Millions of man and woman-hours are wasted annually trudging slowly, snakelike, towards either a few disinterested policemen or iffy scanners.

Could not one of our Government’s 69 special advisers travel to The Rock and ask the question “how is it done?”.

The Passport Office would appreciate the vastly reduced peak demands for its expensive product should we join the Schengen Area.

Liam Pluck, Co Wicklow

If Dublin Bus was given the resources, it would derail the need for a Metro

There appears to be a determination in high circles to build a Metro system in Dublin, despite being a low-density city.

Costs are estimated to land in the €9bn to €10bn range, although everyone knows it will be at least €12bn before it is half finished. On the other hand, Dublin Bus costs €300m a year to operate.

In theory, we could double the scale of Dublin Bus operations for 36 years before we exceed the capital costs of the Metro.

One forms an impression that the Metro is favoured by people who are quite happy to get on a train but wouldn’t condescend to step on a bus if ever they can help it.

Setting aside any accusations of snobbery, there may be some actions Dublin Bus could be resourced to take in order to make travelling by bus a more pleasant experience.

Frequency of buses is the obvious issue. Waiting more than 15 minutes in the rain is not optimal and is the main pipeline into the problem of overcrowding.

Also, a move that could be implemented immediately and would be inexpensive is a sustained and visible effort to brand the taking and making of phone calls on public transport as rude and inconsiderate, which it is.

Dublin Bus management must be aware by now that the kind of people who mistake a bus for their own personal phone booth are entirely impervious to the social cues of scowling faces and tuts.

Bill O’Rourke, Crumlin, Dublin

Outpouring of support from Irish after Sydney tragedy much appreciated

In the few days since the horrific murders in a Sydney shopping ­centre, Ireland has shown its remarkable humanity, because Irish heartfelt care really does extend around the world.

Irish people have contacted us at the Australian Embassy.

Irish TDs, senators and ministers, Taoiseach Simon Harris, Tánaiste Micheál Martin, opposition leader Mary Lou McDonald, embassies in Ireland and leaders of business and sport have touched us with their condolences and sympathy.

As we grieve the terrible events in Sydney, Irish love and understanding reaches out to us.

Thank you to all who have expressed their condolences or have offered prayer.

We know the murders were born of mental health complications and while we feel deeply for the families who lost loved ones, people with schizophrenia are more likely to be the victims rather than perpetrators of violence. These are the thoughts of internationally acknowledged mental health expert, professor and Irish-Australian Pat McGorry.

We do need to do more to understand mental health and to support people who suffer.

We know there were Irish nurses and doctors who cared for the wounded and distressed. We thank them for their care and hard work.

The Honourable Gary Gray, Australian Ambassador to Ireland

Get ahead of the day with the morning headlines at 7.30am and Fionnán Sheahan’s exclusive take on the day’s news every afternoon, with our free daily newsletter.