Sir, – Ireland’s housing crisis is generally discussed as a question of how many homes can be built in Dublin and its surrounding counties. We should also consider how transformative investment in a rail network could expand the number of places from which people can realistically access employment in the capital.
France’s TGV and Japan’s high-speed rail network demonstrate how fast, reliable trains can connect to cities over considerable distances. If Galway, Cork, Limerick, Waterford and other regional centres could be reached from Dublin in approximately 60 to 90 minutes, living outside the capital will become a practical option for many workers.
It would also allow employers to recruit nationally and encourage economic activity and housing development in other regional cities.
This would not mean turning the entire country into a commuter belt. The objective should be to strengthen the regional cities while giving people genuine flexibility over where they live and work. With hybrid working now established in many sectors, even travelling to Dublin two or three days each week could become feasible from much further afield.
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High-speed rail would undoubtedly require substantial investment and long-term planning. However, the housing crisis also carries enormous economic and social cost.
Roads alone will not solve the problem, nor will continuing to concentrate employment, infrastructure and housing demand around Dublin.
As the Irish writer George Bernard Shaw observed: “You will see things and you will say why? But I dream things that never were and I say why not?” Ireland should be prepared to ask “why not?” of a modern, high-speed rail network capable of reshaping where people can live, work and build their futures. – Yours, etc,
ENDA McGEEVER,
Goatstown,
Dublin.
Sir, – I hear reports of train passengers complaining about the lack of catering trolley services on some country routes. They’ve little enough be worrying about when all they have to do is bring their own flashk of tae and some sangwidges. – Yours, etc,
MICHAEL KEEGAN,
Booterstown,
Co Dublin.
