Sir, - I concur with Liz O'Donnell, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, as reported in this paper (November 14th): "The phenomenon of global refugee movement poses a major challenge of the 21st century".
Therefore, it is not before time that a rational debate on immigration be instigated to discuss, among others matters, numbers, health, employment, housing and literacy, taking into account our own problems with all the above. - Yours, etc.,
Michael O'Donnell, Ard Bhaile, Old Youghal Road, Cork.