Sir, - With all due respect to those who disagree with Mr McCabe's opinions of the Irish immigration policies (May 27th), I feel he has made a valid point.
He, as many before him, set off for America with hopes, dreams and ambitions that could not be fulfilled in this country. He extols the principles of a society where material wealth and community status are paramount. The American ethic of working hard and pulling oneself up by the boot straps is ingrained in the culture. People set goals for themselves and work toward them. Admittedly, some fail in their efforts, but the majority attain that much coveted piece of the pie.
Ireland, however, discourages individual efforts toward "excess" material gain through a tax policy structured to maintain a class system which consists of elitists and dependants. This, along with an ultra-liberal dole policy, has created and maintained a stratum in Irish society which relies on (and expects) the State to furnish basic needs such as living accommodation, medical care and other allowances.
Do we now wish to create another disenfranchised, State-dependant class by allowing an unrestricted flow of foreign nationals to enter Ireland?
Sadly, I fear common sense will not prevail and the floodgates will open even wider. The Irish people will allow their emotions to override sound immigration policy. - Yours, etc., Edward D Rafferty,
Grogan's Road, Wexford.