Sir, – The Immigrant Council of Ireland (May 24th) argues for “reform” of certain aspects of Ireland’s immigration laws and procedures.
Surely any such reform can only result in more immigrants from different cultures. It thus appears obvious that essentially this is an argument for increased multiculturalism in Ireland. No doubt to the Immigrant Council of Ireland and to liberal bien pensants generally this is a good thing.
However, looking at the state of Europe with an open mind it surely must strike even the most bien of pensants that this result may not entirely be such a good thing after all.
Attempts to introduce multiculturalism have been a massive failure.
The continent is riven by the rise of fascist and openly racist political parties, all relying for support on the objections of the native populations to immigration and multiculturalism.
It is not clear how Ireland will succeed in bucking this trend when even the most advanced, well-organised, tolerant, liberal society such as Sweden is, as I write, riven with riot and mayhem while, in the background, an openly anti-immigrant political party is steadily edging towards power. – Yours, etc,
CONAN KENNEDY,
Gore Street,
Killala,
Co Mayo.