Fergus Finlay: Simon, fixing the housing crisis is the only way to erode bitterness

Hate-mongering is everywhere on social media, growing every day. As Taoiseach, you need to confront it. Take a stand on the Hate Bill now

Asylum seekers sleeping in tents in Mount Street, Dublin city centre, last month. The real tangible source of alienation in the upcoming elections springs from housing and homelessness.

Dear Simon, I said last week I’d write to you so here it is. I really wanted to focus on one issue, because it is the issue that informs everything else right now. That’s the issue of housing, Ireland’s great failure.

But you’re probably preoccupied with the local and European elections because they’re just around the corner. And I have a terrible fear that hate is going to play a significant part in those elections.