Sir, – It is a measure of how far we have to go in building an equitable, sustainable society that your editorial on "motors" ("All change on the forecourt", September 14th) makes not a single reference to the true cost, to Ireland, of the so-called motoring industry.
Every part of every car sold is imported and worsens our balance of payments.
Neither is it correct to compare house buying with car purchase.
Houses are built in Ireland, albeit with some imported materials.
In the longer term, houses increase in value whereas cars lose 30 per cent to 40 per cent of theirs once they are driven off the forecourt. Decent housing is essential to a good life whereas new cars are purely a luxury.
The fact that, at a time of crisis in homelessness and hospital waiting lists, car sales have returned to boom-time levels strengthens the belief that inequality has increased over recent years.
Perhaps the forthcoming budget will redress this imbalance. – Yours, etc,
Dr KEVIN T RYAN,
Limerick.