Sir, - How can you possibly tell us (Editorial, January 24th) that the MRBI opinion poll reveals "sharply divided public attitudes" towards asylum seekers and indicates "how finely balanced public opinion is on this delicate and potentially explosive issue", when your own reporter (Kevin Rafter) tells us on the same day that "qualitative research conducted by MRBI shows that the harder line on refugees more accurately reflects the Irish attitude"?
In fact the first proposition in the poll, suggesting a more generous approach, seems to me to invite the respondent's agreement by referring to "our own history of emigration and our current prosperity".
You have a consistent view on this subject, which informs your paper generally, that Ireland should become a multicultural, multiracial society. Maybe it will, more by accident than design, but you seem to regard it as the preferred societal model, to be aimed at as a matter of public policy.
I do not recall that you ever defined those terms and argued your case in principle, and by reference to the experience of countries meeting your definition. I think you should do so now. And you should also set out your views on official immigration from non-EU countries, covering such issues such as total number per annum and quotas by nationality, skills, hardship.
You should also set out your views on the management of illegal immigration, which will undoubtedly continue apace, side by side with the official intake. - Yours, etc.,
John O'Callaghan, Lakelands Avenue, Stillorgan, Co Dublin.