Madam, - Conor O'Brien (August 18th) suggests that the 23,000 citizens of the newly joined EU states who registered for PPS numbers since May 1st are indicative of the numbers who will continue to register and to come to this country for work in the future.
One wonders what percentage of these people were working here illegally before the new states' accession, and are now taking the necessary steps to legitimise their work here and therefore contribute to their country of residence with taxes, PRSI, etc.
I suggest that this is nothing more than an aberration caused by our complete lack of a working immigration system, and that the figures for 2005 will show us much more clearly the true changes in numbers. - Yours, etc.,
KEITH MARTIN, Bujumbura, Burundi.
Madam, - Conor O'Brien contends that the Government has made an "error of judgment" in not putting restrictions on EU citizens from the new member-states. If this were true, then could Ireland continue to have one of the fastest growing economies in the developed world while most other European economies stagnate?
These people are coming to take up jobs that Irish employers cannot fill domestically. They pay taxes, buy goods and services and therefore create more jobs for others. And if economic conditions change in the future, then the Government can instal controls if it wishes. However, the most effective control will be the labour market itself, because if there are no jobs, they won't come here.- Yours, etc.,
KEVIN WINDLE, Glencairn Heights, Dublin 18.