JOHN CLARKIN,
Madam, - It is highly ironic for the Minister for Justice, Michael McDowell, to suggest that the strong No vote in parts of Dublin was due to "the immigration issue".
Only days ago, 20 elected representatives from Sinn Féin, the Greens and anti-Nice independents protested at the refusal of Mr McDowell to grant refugee status to an 18-year-old Nigerian woman, Christina Onasanwo, who could face brutal genital mutilation if she is forced to return to Nigeria.
Mr McDowell's snide remarks are also insulting to the people of areas such as Dublin North West, which recorded the highest No vote in Dublin. I personally canvassed many parts of this constituency and found that the main concerns were lack of democracy in the EU, the Government's failure to accept the result of Nice 1 and the disinformation propagated by the FF/PD coalition before the last election.
What is fanning the flames of racism are abuse by members of IBEC of the employment, for very poor wages and conditions, of Eastern European workers to undermine the conditions of both Irish and immigrant workers. - Yours, etc.,
Dr SEÁN MARLOW, Willow Park Road, Dublin 11.
... ... * ... * ... * ... ...
Madam, - I note from your edition of October 21st that the turnout in the Nice Treaty referendum was 49.47 per cent. Not bad for a referendum one might say, bearing in mind the apathy shown by voters in recent referendums notably the first Nice referendum when a mere 34.79 per cent could be bothered.
It still means, however, that the second Nice referendum was passed by less than a third of the electorate (31 per cent). And, of course, it is not only referendums that are failing to ignite the passion of the public. Turnouts even in general elections have been falling for the past 20 years.
From a high of 76.2 per cent in 1981, turnout fell to 65.5 per cent in 1997 and to 62.73 per cent in last May's election.
In my own constituency, Kildare South, the turnout last May was a paltry 55.78 per cent, whilst Kildare North was even worse with only 55.36 per cent. The next general election could well see turnouts in the Kildare constituencies - and no doubt many others - dropping below the psychologically significant 50 per cent.
What is to be done? Some would argue that, as in some countries, voting should be compulsory,with a fine or other penalty for defaulters. Others would argue for a public awareness campaign to impress on people the importance of using their constitutional right.
I suggest a different approach, perhaps novel in this particular instance, but in essence as old as Methuselah. I suggest the carrot. Appeal to the voters' greed. God knows the politicians have done it for aeons.
Market research people have long known that the response to questionnaires is vastly increased if those who return forms are entered in a draw. Twice a week half the populace fork out good money hoping to become the next Lotto millionaire.
Why not offer voters the chance to become the first election millionaire? This would be at least as cheap as, and far more effective than, any PR campaign to encourage voters. Its operation would be simple in the era of electronic voting. You cast your vote and you're in the draw for the million. - Yours, etc.,
Dr GERARD CAFFREY, Brownstown, The Curragh, Co Kildare.
... ... * ... * ... * ... ...
Madam, - So the Nice Treaty has been "delivered". How I hate that word and the triumphalism that accompanied it!
This treaty bunched together the idea of enlargement and the changes in the structure of the EU - things whose relationship was not necessarily entangled. The sleight of hand means that nobody can say for sure how much of this Treaty has the backing of the Irish people. This is Machiavellian.
For many on both sides this referendum has left a bitter aftertaste. What has been "delivered"? A compromised people?
Fianna Fáil, PDs, Fine Gael and Labour have come a long way and now sit comfortably together. Let's have a real alternative.
JOHN CLARKIN, Ballinablake, Co Wexford.