Sir, - The aims of the Immigration Control Platform are an echo across the years, and illustrate the insecurity of many people in our notably insular society. From the foundation of the State, Irish society closed in upon itself, greatly assisted by the policies of the de Valera years and the extreme influence of the Roman Catholic Church in all aspects of life (don't forget the selective welcome German children got during Operation Shamrock - no Jews or Protestants need apply).
The advent of free movement of people and goods within the EU has been extremely healthy - an opportunity for cross-fertilisation of ideas and cultures and the strengthening of an industrial and business culture which now stands on its own two feet internationally. We export many ideas and aspects of our culture throughout the developed world, as evidenced by the huge success of Riverdance, the Irish pub, Irish As a result, there is increased interest in our country, attracting people to our shores.
The Immigration Control Platform raises an introspective and racist concern about two issues: people from other EU states within the EU coming here and refugees seeking asylum from persecution. In both cases there is a distrust and fear of "foreigners", an insecurity about our own identity and a fear of our ability to maintain the culture of our country - which, ironically, has been so enriched over the centuries by the absorption of many other cultural groups, whether they be Celts, Danes, Normans, plantationists or others. One hopes that our culture will continue to be so enriched by the new inhabitants of Ireland and new Irish, whatever their ethnic origins. To experience the range of different colours and races, to hear the different accents and languages every day in Dublin now is, to me, an exciting and expansive feeling, a tremendous move towards a cross- and multi-cultural society as this troubled century closes. I only hope that the people of Ireland can rise to the occasion, to welcome and absorb a fresh generation of "new" Irish.
Incidentally, it is ironic that the Immigration Control Platform picked Ennis for its first meeting because of the number of asylum seekers there; by doing so, it chose to launch a campaign of national insularity in Ireland's global Information Age Town. - Yours, etc.,
Dargle Road, Dublin 9.