Sir, - Like W.H. Walsh (September 7th), I disagree with the views expressed by Mary Gardiner (August 30th). His quotation from Mr Noel Dempsey, Minister for the Environment, that "having a decent home is basic to any family's standard of living, is essential for health and happiness. . ." is most appropriate. However, Mr Walsh then advocates the provision throughout the country of a "sufficient number of properly equipped and serviced halting sites".
Living on a halting site is substandard in that the basic accommodation is a trailer caravan or mobile home, usually owned by the family, plus a shed with WC and washroom provided by the local authority. Year-round caravan living by a family, especially in the muggy weather of autumn and winter when clothing and bedding become sodden from condensation, would not be acceptable for the general population. Equally so for Travellers.
The Commission on Itinerancy reported in 1963 that standard housing should be the objective for all Travellers and it advised against the provision of substandard accommodation. These recommendations were endorsed by the Review Body in 1983. The latter group recommended the provision of a limited number of halting sites to be used by some families prior to standard housing. The sites were advocated as a marginal improvement on roadside existence but not as places of permanent residence. The two reports should be retrieved from the pigeon-holes and the recommendations on housing implemented. - Yours, etc.,
Michael P. Flynn, Ballinderry, Mullingar, Co Westmeath.