Sir, - What a patronising, anti-democratic piece of commentary from Paula Kehoe (An Irishwoman's Diary, November 20th).
"Who are these people?" she asks of those who voted for the Australian premier John Howard, endorsing his tough stance on the "asylum" invasion. She goes on to provide a classic example of the dual vocabulary used by anti-democratic elitists like herself. If the people in general want something and Paula Kehoe does too, it is "democratic" to give it. If the people in general want something and Paula Kehoe does not it is "populist" to give it.
Howard and the Australian public are correct in their stance and will inevitably be followed by other countries who just need longer, apparently, to see the light. Thank you, Australia, for making it easier for the rest of us. - Yours, etc.,
Aine Ni Chonaill, PRO, Immigration Control Platform, Dublin 2.