Sir, - Congratulations to Des Geraghty of SIPTU for highlighting the problem of scandalously high house prices.
Earlier this year I wrote to Pat Rabbitte asking him to do to the house builders what he had just done to the publicans - force them to reduce their prices. His reply was that house prices did not come under the relevant Act. What's wrong with including them under the relevant Act?
If a task force is set up, as suggested by Mr Geraghty, it should concentrate solely on entry level house prices - the three bedroom semi. A study of the last three years will show increases of 60 to 80 per cent at a time of combined inflation of approximately seven per cent. All house prices will follow suit if entry level prices are controlled. The only beneficiaries of spiralling house prices are auctioneers and builders. Mr Geraghty has said that he believed the house market is a rigged market. He's absolutely right, and the leading auctioneers are to blame with the builders following gleefully in their wake.
Our young people are being crucified in their attempt to gain entry to the housing market. It is time the Government took action. - Yours, etc.,
Eamonn Bennett,
Portmarnock, Co Dublin