Madam, - For grotesque, now read Parlonesque. Why can't we cut to the chase and talk straight about the immoral and socially insufferable housing market?
Simply put, it's a matter of grossly unmatched predators and prey. The big cats are a ravenous and insatiable alliance including landowners, builders, developers, financial institutions, speculators, estate agents, solicitors, Government, and assorted advertising interests.
They feed mainly off a single and defenceless prey - one which should signify the future of our society: young people seeking homes in which to found families. This savage feeding frenzy can't continue. It's nothing less than social cannibalism. - Yours, etc.,
MICHAEL COADY, Carrick on Suir, Co Tipperary.
Madam, - Minister of State Tom Parlon got it right when he said that capping the value of development land was a policy somewhere to the left of Stalin. In a democracy everyone should be entitled to the full market value of their house, their business or their land.
Why should the State be allowed to take land from people for less than its market value and pass it on to others who will get the full market value?
Everyone knows that incentives work better than sanctions in the market place. Reducing capital gains tax from 40 per cent to 20 per cent would release more development land onto the market than could any negative action. - Yours, etc.,
PETER LUTTRELL, Raheenaderragh, Athy, Co Kildare.