Davitt’s ideals wasted on our new landlords

I FIND it ironic that on the centenary of Michael Davitt’s death, the average price of a home in Dublin is set to reach €400,000.

The fact that this Government, and particularly Noel Ahern, the Minister for Housing, have mouthed platitudes to this great man turned this irony into pure farce.

Davitt fought to overturn the rapacious landlord system consisting of high rents, land-grabbers and insecurity of tenure.

A century after his death, what have we achieved? Millionaire developers and property tycoons who are no different to the English landlords of the 18th and 19th centuries.

And a Government that takes pride in extortionate house prices.

They welcome this as some kind of badge of honour, a reflection of a booming economy.

People without access to capital are either on the housing list or perpetually stuck in the private rented sector.

A minority with large capital either own two or three houses in Ireland or are absentee landlords in Bulgaria or Croatia.

I urge the Government, and particularly the Minister for Housing, to compare their contribution to social justice with that of Davitt.

I think the outcome would make them feel very uncomfortable.

Gordon Kennedy

97 Botanic Road

Glasnevin

Dublin 9