Sir, – Finn McRedmond argues that Dublin is Ireland’s only global city and that the alternative centres are too small. Because of its scale, Dublin is “the capital of everything” (“Why all the anti-Dublin bias?” July 23rd).
This scale is a real problem. According to the 2022 Census, the population of Ireland was 5.1 million, of which 2.1 million or 40 per cent lived in the Dublin area (city and adjacent counties). Such a concentration of national population in the capital creates big challenges.
Dublin is congested, with heavy demands for new infrastructure, generating pressure on house prices and cost of living. Everyone loses.
A regional approach would see diversion of development to complementary centres like Waterford, Cork, Limerick, Galway and Sligo. These have capacity to grow at lower relative costs. Global scale is no longer dependent on population size, but can be achieved through worldwide communications and application of technology. Indeed, these complementary centres are already international hubs for many sectors.
RM Block
This regional policy would relieve pressure from Dublin and offer fresh opportunities elsewhere. Everyone wins. – Yours, etc,
BRIAN CALLANAN,
Ennis Road,
Limerick.
Sir, – I read Finn McRedmond’s piece on the national importance of our capital city; cultural, commercial and political.
It prompted this proud Dublin native living in the sunny southeast to remind all that the beautiful, historic town of Wexford is home to the National Opera House. – Yours, etc,
LARRY DUNNE,
Rosslare Harbour,
Co Wexford.
Sir, – In her opinion piece, “Why all the anti-Dublin bias?” (July 23rd), Finn McRedmond describes Dublin as Ireland’s only global city and goes on to effectively class our other cities as rural backwaters.
I think Finn indirectly hits on the reason for some anti-Dublin bias, in the way that some Dubliners, like in her opinion piece, try to “culchiefy” the other great cities of Ireland. – Yours etc,
DONAL HUTTON,
Carrigaline,
Co Cork.
