A chara, - While extolling the benefits of Ireland's "liberal migration policy", Senator Martin Mansergh (Opinion, May 27th) claims "that Ireland can be a land of opportunity for ourselves and others, but without losing our character as a social-market economy". I wonder what evidence he has to justify that statement.
The reality is that the Fianna Fáil-led Government has gambled on Ireland's future social harmony by permitting excessive and too rapid migration in its drive for sudden economic development. While this "liberal migration policy" aims to provide an endless supply of low-cost labour to meet the demands of local and global business concerns, it is being implemented without regard to future negative consequences for Irish society and Irish taxpayers.
The UK experience is proof that, in the longer term, sudden and excessive migration, without adequate time for integration, benefits neither individuals nor the host society.
As a consequence of Fianna Fáil's present "liberal migration policy", it is estimated that within another decade or so, one quarter of the residents of this State will be foreign born, with all the social implications that such a rapid demographic change implies. In the circumstances, I find it remarkable that Senator Mansergh can be so supportive of his party's policy of cultural asset-stripping in the name of economic advancement.
Another disturbing aspect of this Government migration initiative is that it does not enjoy a democratic mandate, never having been placed before the electorate. Although this policy will have the most profound and long-lasting impact on the nature, identity and cultural values of our nation, the Government of which Senator Mansergh is a distinguished supporter finds it acceptable that the people of this State should not be asked to approve this experiment in social engineering. And who, I wonder, will be around to pick up the pieces?
In my view, economic success bought at the cost of losing our identity as an "Irish" nation is a bad bargain. I hope the electorate will soon make this clear to the responsible politicians and, also, to their cheer-leaders, including Senator Mansergh. - Is mise,
LIAM Ó GEIBHEANNAIGH, Átha an Ghainimh, Co Átha Cliath.