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Boarded-up commercial premises are becoming an increasingly common sight. Photo: Getty Caoimhe Gordon’s report on the increasing levels of dereliction and vacancies among commercial properties makes for sobering reading (‘West worst hit as the rate of empty shops in our towns at all-time high, Irish Independent , September 17). Small businesses are closing down left, right and centre and rural towns in particular are being adversely affected.
A recent report by the Maples Group asked the question: “Is it time for a reduction in the rate of stamp duty on Irish commercial property, which currently stands at 7.5 percentage points?” The clear answer is yes. Stamp duty on commercial property was 2pc in 2016 and now stands at 7.
5pc. In 2019, the increase from 6pc to 7.5pc was justified by then Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe on the grounds that “the commercial property market continues to perform strongly”.
He added: “It is expected that this increase can be borne by the sector without any real or significant impact.” It would seem Fine Gael has returned to type and favours big business and large farmers over struggling small enterprises and those wishing to establish family-owned ventures in rural towns. Someone needs to call a halt.
Tom McElligott, Listowel, Co Kerry Politicians are being asked daily if they can provide a date for the forthcoming general election. It’s starting to feel like Groundhog Day. In reality, we all know the question is a waste of time.
The election will happen when it happens and life will continue pretty much unchanged. Around the time Daniel O’Connell was going forward for election, men were employed on the roads breaking stones. The story goes that when the votes were being counted, a landlord passing by on horseback was asked by a stone breaker: “Sir, any results from the election yet?” The curt reply was: “The result will make no difference to you – breaking stones is your job.
” Leo Gormley, Dundalk, Co Louth Lorraine Courtney seems to suggest that parents of Catholic children would be forced to “give up” the sacraments of first holy communion and confirmation if school patronage is divested from the Catholic Church to a secular state system (‘Most parents will be in no rush to kick the Catholic Church out of our schools’, Irish Independent , September 16). This looks like more of the scaremongering and dissembling that goes on every time suggestions of divestment are made. No one is banned from the sacraments as a result of a change of school patron.
Cling to your religion if it makes you happy. Instruct your own children as you see fit. That is your right.
But please leave other people’s children free from unwanted catechising. That is our right. Bernie Linnane, Dromahair, Co Leitrim A former US president is targeted by another would-be assassin and the world reports that it is shocking.
Disturbing, yes. But shocking? Given the outdated and ridiculous situation concerning gun laws in the US, I’m not sure if it is shocking. Washington claims to be the policeman of the world, but this is hard to credit as it doesn’t even have its own house in order.
It would be an impossible task to get all the legally held firearms handed back in an amnesty. There are hundreds of millions of them. However, a start could be made by tightening legal requirements at all future ownership assessments while also offering an incentive to those who freely return guns.
The National Rifle Association won’t be happy, but it would probably reduce gun-related deaths. Disarming many police and curtailing SWAT teams should also be strongly considered. David Ryan, Drumree, Co Meath Every day brings reports of new massacres in Gaza and egregious breaches by Israel of international humanitarian law.
On Sunday night and Monday morning, at least 16 people, including four children, were killed. A residential building in the densely populated Nuseirat refugee camp was bombed and a mother, her child and five of her siblings were killed. And so it goes on.
It is likely that many more Palestinians will die in such circumstances while the so-called international community, including Ireland, wrings its hands, muttering about the need for a ceasefire, but doing nothing to bring it about. After nearly a year of slaughter in Gaza, when will we see sanctions against the rogue state of Israel? The Irish Government could, at the very least, enact the Occupied Territories Bill. Why the delay? Fintan Lane, Lucan, Co Dublin Like every Dundalk FC supporter, I have been going through all kinds of emotions in the past few days (‘Fans feel pain, but Dundalk players badly let down by club’s cash crisis’, Irish Independent , September 17).
The club has found itself in a perilous financial state, and there is worrying talk that it might not even be in a position to see out the season. This is a horrible prospect for one of the most successful clubs in Irish football history. Hope remains that investment can be secured to ensure Dundalk’s short-term future at least.
Despite all the doom and gloom, the situation at Oriel Park was at least covered on RTÉ sports bulletins before the English Premier League and Manchester City’s problems. This is a real rarity, as any Irish football fan will know. Small mercies, of course, but as ever, come on the Town.
Tom Gilsenan, Beaumont, Dublin 9 I wonder if a furore similar to the Oasis ticket scramble will be repeated when Jedward reunite after their recent falling out over the gas boiler incident. Bernard Flynn, Mullingar, Co Westmeath Join the Irish Independent WhatsApp channel Stay up to date with all the latest news.
