We must halt the pandemic profiteers

Sir — It is inevitable that there will be a number of individuals and organisations prepared to exploit the effects of the pandemic for selfish and greedy purposes. However, I had not expected such mercenary efforts so soon and so blatantly.

Given its behaviour before and during the economic crisis of just over a decade ago, it’s not very surprising to find that the construction industry, the lighttouch regulation enthusiasts, are one of the first ‘‘out of the blocks’’. To read that new safety measures may lead to a 40pc increase in the cost of the children’s hospital and that the cost of building a house could rise by €15,000 and an apartment by €20,000 is detestable.

This kind of wilfully vague chicanery must be ‘‘called out’’ and immediately renounced because there will be many ready to jump on the bandwagon with no concern for the rehabilitation of this State and its people. Michael Gannon, St Thomas’ Sq, Kilkenny