Sir, - The stowaway disaster at Wexford highlights once again the desperate plight of economic and political asylum-seekers. As Irish people, we ought to recognise and identify with them in the context of our own history of migration. But as the recent Australian experience shows, a populist and exclusivist government policy towards migrants appears to be the most expedient politically.
Global economic and demographic changes will increasingly require mass migration from poor countries to the rich. Shortages of skilled labour in particular - along with an ageing population - are forcing EU countries to radically rethink their immigration policy. Their population is likely to rise by over 10 million over the next 25 years, but the number of those of working age will decline by about 2 million in the same period. Commissioner Romano Prodi has called for the EU to open its doors to at least 1.6 million immigrants.
In the UK, Home Office figures show that immigrants pay into the economy annually an estimated £2.6 billion more than they take out. According to the Institute for Public Policy Research, they create new businesses, their skills are needed, and new jobs boost productivity as well as a positive fiscal balance.
Legal and illegal flows of migrants to the US in the 1990s was the highest on record, yet it was a period of unparalleled expansion and full employment.
So, when we hear of dead and dehydrated bodies arriving at our coasts, do we remember our own migrant experience? Our survivors made economic, social, cultural and political enrichment everywhere they went. Why not allow our new arrivals to do the same?
Let's hope this Celtic Tiger mentality doesn't blot out our history, but allows instead a sense of compassion, understanding, support and opportunity. Then our society can become truly richer. - Yours, etc.,
Padraic O Flaithimh, Portland Road, London N15.