Sir, – Simon Harris’s claim in his recent interview with your newspaper that he was “shut down” after saying Ireland’s migration numbers are too high is one of the most disingenuous statements he has made in public office.
He was not silenced. He made a brief, loaded remark on his way into a Cabinet meeting, walked away from the microphone, and then declined to engage meaningfully with the very debate he says he wants.
If Mr Harris wishes to have a serious conversation, he might start by answering some basic questions. What migration does he believe is “too high”? People moving to Ireland from the rest of Europe? Labour migration from the rest of the world? Seasonal workers? And by what mechanism does he propose reducing it – and over what time frame?
Most importantly, how does a reduction in inward migration square with maintaining Irish living standards into the future? Ireland’s birth rate has been falling for over a decade. The resulting contraction of the working-age population is now baked into our demographic projections. Fewer workers means fewer taxpayers, greater pressure on public services, and weaker capacity to fund pensions, healthcare and infrastructure.
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The debate Mr Harris claims was shut down is still wide open. It is he who has yet to show up for it. – Yours, etc,
SÉAMUS WHITE,
Stoneybatter,
Dublin 7.
