Government ministers refuse to treat renters like human beings

​Senior members of our government seem to have become enchanted by unbridled capitalism and its pecuniary logic. One of the glaring consequences of this is a failure to see others as human beings.

It is noted that in statements from ministers, people are referred to as “renters”. It is a clear attempt to dehumanise those who are about to become victims.

Government policy is putting an increasing strain on cohesion and this decision will add greatly to the growing feeling that we are not all in this together. Communities will fracture. History tells what can happen when such matters get out of hand.

It is time that our Government diverted its adoring gaze from Mammon and realised that serving people is its primary function before irreversible damage to the fabric of our society is done.

Jim O’Sullivan, Rathedmond, Co Sligo

Opportunist tenants taking advantage of eviction ban

WITHOUT having a workable eviction policy in place, just exactly why would one expect any landlord to get involved in the market? To that end, why would any bank offer personal mortgages?

While there is no doubt that ruthless landlords exist, it is equally true that opportunist tenants and opportunist mortgage defaulters are taking full advantage of the eviction ban while enjoying the fruits of non payment.

It’s simply asinine to expect any individual or institution to loan property or money with no protection.

Eamon Kearney, Address with editor

Why Irish consumers should boycott goods from China

IN 2021 the EU bought €250bn more from China than China purchased from the EU. That same year, the US trade deficit with China was $382.9bn. China supports the Russian position in Ukraine or does not condemn what Europe and the USA term an invasion.

How would it be if all EU, UK and US citizens said that all goods on sale online and in physical shops must have their country of manufacture stated and confirmed by importing body?

No goods from China would be bought for as long as the Russian actions in Ukraine continued.

We obviously need to put our mouth where our money is.

Fergus Jordan, Greystones, Co Wicklow

​Lockdowns did irreparable damage to vulnerable people

LONG before Covid-19, it was common knowledge that as we age, humans are less energetic and our social interactions are reduced. This may be due to retirement, infirmity or natural inclination.

This gradual isolation increases the risk of developing agoraphobia, hypochondria and social isolation.

The instruction to older people to further self-isolate during the pandemic – for preventative medical reasons – has caused irreparable psychological damage to an already vulnerable group. If anything is to be learnt from the Covid lockdowns, it’s that a social connection to an assigned friend or family member should be enabled, regardless of risk.

It is no use being medically alive but socially deceased.

Sadly, that was obvious regardless of any pandemic.

Eugene Tannam, Firhouse, Dublin 24

​UK’s illegal immigration bill flies in face of common decency

HOW ironic it is that the two protagonists bringing the illegal immigration bill before the UK House of Commons are first-generation children of immigrant families.

This bill, concocted by prime minister Rishi Sunak and home secretary Suella Braverman, flies in the face of common decency, compassion, respect and all international treaties on the treatment of migrants, as well as the UK’s own laws.

I can see the bill heading straight to the courts and it doesn’t stand a chance in hell
in succeeding.

It’s a banjaxed bill by a banjaxed government that has well and truly outstayed its welcome.

Jim Yates, Dublin 24

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