A chara, – Stephen Collins writes “Ireland’s overriding interest lies in the survival of the EU,” (Opinion, July 30th).
During the week I heard comment on the radio that Ireland, now being the largest “mother tongue” users of English, has a great opportunity in bringing in continental European students to develop their language skills. But how is this island to develop over the coming decades if European integration is the way forward?
We as taxpayers have spent fortunes on third-level education yet our children, when emigrating, overwhelmingly choose English-speaking non-EU countries. What is the benefit to Ireland Inc in that? I would like, as a taxpayer, all third-level courses to require a minimum of one semester in another EU country on a course that is not English-speaking. Students who don’t do it should pay the full fees.
I want my children to choose Berlin over Boston. We all should, if our future is Europe.
– Is mise,
ANDY MAGUIRE
Kincora Road,
Dublin 3.