Sir, - Young Dubliners are finding it very difficult to buy a house and own it in their lifetimes. Many have been pushed out beyond the M50 and are finding it difficult to get to work as a result of an entirely inadequate public transport system in the Dublin area.
The economy is doing well but it is difficult to avoid the impression that there is a thread of fiscal carelessness running though Government actions. There is a chorus of demands for EU funding post-2000, especially from the West, with suggestions that Dublin need not be included in future structural funding from the EU. It is conveniently forgotten that unemployment in Dublin is higher numerically and in percentage terms than in the West (12.8 per cent in Dublin compared with a national rate of 11.8 per cent). The crude attempt to create a sub-region of the West, Midlands and Border areas under the pretence of regionalisation to gain EU Funds is a not-so-subtle discrimination against Dublin and is deplorable.
If Government wishes to be a Government of all the people it must complete urgently work on all projects of the Dublin Transport Initiative including Luas - quality bus corridors, suburban rail, cycle paths, environmental traffic cells, etc. - so that Dubliners can move about their city in a manner befitting a top European capital city. It should also focus on unemployment in the disadvantaged areas of Dublin.
The DCCBA calls on the Government to abandon this proposal to partition the State into two regions, discriminating against Dublin. Since 1922 the population growth of urban areas has increased by 1.5 million. Infrastructure in all urban areas is inadequate and slowing down efficiency and competitiveness for business. Investment in infrastructure is essential and urgent. - Yours, etc., Brian Goff,
Chairman, Dublin City Centre Business Association, Dawson Street, Dublin 2.