Curbs on new EU members

Madam, - Your Editorial "Migrant Workers" (October 25th) doubts "whether great numbers would want to come here from Romania and…

Madam, - Your Editorial "Migrant Workers" (October 25th) doubts "whether great numbers would want to come here from Romania and Bulgaria."

Your suggestion seems suspect for at least four reasons. First, the authorities of both countries would hardly have lobbied as they did if it only entailed low numbers. Next, the ESRI would scarcely have advised against additional immigration in such circumstances. Third, earlier unrestricted access from new accession states actually attracted much higher inflows than expected.

Finally, the suggested preference of Romanian and Bulgarian migrants for Italy, Greece and Spain presumes freedom of access to such states. Besides, it is by no means a mutually exclusive option. Migrants may avail of all outlets on offer. - Yours, etc,

JOHN ANTONY BARNWELL, St Patrick's Road, Dublin 9.