Sir, - In a recent television discussion the current refugee influx into Ireland came up. One of the panel said that we in Ireland had never had to deal with anything like this before. This is not quite correct, as there was an influx of Huguenot settlers into England and Ireland in the 17th century. They were fleeing religious persecution in France and what is now Germany.
The biggest contingent of Huguenots to Ireland settled in Dublin and were made welcome by James Butler, the Duke of Ormond. By attracting people from mainland Europe to live in Dublin, Ormond not only expanded its population with skilled craftsmen, but also improved the status of Dublin as a European capital.
He made a great effort to help the new refugees to settle down and joined with the Irish Privy Council in recommending a collection for them in the Dublin area. At his and the council's instigation, the Corporation of Dublin ordered that these European artisans and craftsmen be admitted to the Freedom of the City of Dublin, and be exempt from all tax for five years.
Some of these same refugees made it to the top in Dublin business circles, including what was Switzers of Grafton Street and G. T. Crampton, building contractors.
So an influx of refugees can be a good thing for the country, if handled with care. - Yours, etc.,
Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin.