Madam, - Your Editorial of March 18th, "Plight of Emigrants", shows a great understanding of the need for this State to "cherish" the Irish abroad as part of our nation in line with the amendment to Article 2 of the Constitution.
The task force report "Ireland and the Irish Abroad" is a wonderful document - clear and practical with realisable goals. We owe a great debt to those who produced it.
The major recommendation was a dedicated agency for the Irish abroad to gather people with energy, vision and various expertise. The downgrading of the agency to a unit within the Department of Foreign Affairs is a worrying development for anyone with an interest in this debate. - Yours, etc.,
Father ALAN HILLIARD, Director, Irish Bishop's Commission for Emigrants, Maynooth, Co Kildare.