Sir, – It is not helpful for media outlets to brand any questioning of policy around asylum seekers as far-right or even as anti-immigration.
We are a country in the throes of a housing crisis. Why are unlimited numbers of people coming when we can only offer tents on the street? Asking this question does not make anyone far-right.
Reading that there is no proposal to cap the number of refugees arriving into the country at this particular time beggars belief (“Taoiseach says Clare blockade ‘not necessary’”, News, May 16th).
We cannot provide accommodation for the amount of extra people today, as this problem gets bigger every day, so how do we cope in the future? Again, I would think this question is sensible, not far-right. If the Government unveils a realistic housing plan that can take care of this problem, the questions stop.
Also, we cannot pretend that community acceptance for refugees and economic migrants is equal. Maybe it should be, but right now, factually, it is not. Clare and Pearse Street have shown us that one group presents more challenges in securing safe accommodation. To acknowledge this does not signal far-right beliefs. This problem is difficult enough without name-calling. Solutions instead, please. – Yours, etc,
DARA O’DONNELL,
Portobello,
Dublin 8.
Sir, – Those going out and participating in anti-migrant protests should go home, and be grateful for the fact that they can. – Yours, etc,
GARY DOYLE,
Straffan,
Co Kildare.