Sir, - A recent visit to Hamburg showed how enthusiastically former Iron Curtain countries are embracing educational opportunities formerly denied to them.
They would dearly love to be in the EU in order to advance themselves politically and economically. They thought Ireland was the last country in the world that would act as dog in the manger to thwart that aspiration.
Good will is a lubricating factor in developing trade relations. We seem to have wantonly squandered that in Eastern Europe, whether through big-headedness or pig-headedness. The fact that only a minority of a poorly informed electorate voted No is beside the point. The tail continues to wag the dog.
The most vocal of the No camp seem to be either cloistered academics or those in sheltered occupations. They will not feel the chill winds of recession or the devastating trauma of losing one's job in the prime of life.
Nothing angers the locked-out countries more than the line that Ireland is only doing what is best for them, that Ireland knows better than themselves or their Governments where their best interests lie.
A resounding "Yes" of welcome would put the record straight. That is in our own best interests too. - Yours, etc.,
J. P. DUGGAN, Cedarmount Road, Mount Merrion, Co Dublin.