ANN MORONEY,
Madam, - The very worthwhile, government-sponsored "Know Racism" campaign recently erected two large billboard advertisements around the country. One reads: "Ali Mussa, Staff Nurse, Carlow Hospital: It works both ways for migrant workers. Work against Racism." The second one begins, "Ciara O'Brien, Staff Nurse, Manama Hospital, Bahrain", with the same caption about migrant workers underneath.
The message for the public seems clear: migration across the world for people of all ethnic origins, including Irish, is a reality and we must combat racism to ensure that migrant workers do not suffer from it. This is surely a timely message in an Ireland where racist attacks, including violent and fatal attacks, are sadly on the increase.
What a shock, then, to hear the Minister of State with responsibility for Labour Affairs, Frank Fahey, make the following remarks in a recent speech to launch a special FÁS project dedicated to the retraining of women and funded, ironically enough, by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform: "There is a need for employers to recognise that we have in our society. . .women in the home who want to return to work and I feel that many of those people could take up the employment opportunities that are being taken up by people coming in from the outside."
One is left wondering with alarm: does Frank Fahey not agree with the "Know Racism" billboard campaign - or has one of us got the message wrong? - Yours, etc.,
ANN MORONEY,
Stanaway Road,
Dublin 12.