Sir, – At the recent launch of the new Aontú political party, its leader and founder, Peadar Tóibín, called for a debate on immigration.
What is hugely disappointing is the almost hysterical reaction from many commentators, particularly on social media.
Discussion of immigration has been reduced to photo-opportunities, where politicians pat themselves on the back as to how multicultural we have become. The issues of sustainability and the integration of migrants have been ignored. What does not get discussed in the public square gets whispered down side-streets.
If people are imputing base motives to Mr Tóibín for a perfectly reasonable call for a debate, it pushes the issue out of the public square and down the side-streets, where less savoury political figures may well make take up the issue. – Yours, etc,
PAUL
WILLIAMS,
Kilkee,
Co Clare.