Madam, - The level of attention given by the political parties and the media to the forthcoming European election is startling given that its outcome will make no practical difference to the management of the European Union and is little more that a domestic half-term opinion poll. Yet lampposts are bedecked with candidates' posters.
The referendum on citizenship to be held on the same day could have far-reaching implications for the nature of our society. But I have seen a total of just three posters urging a vote on the referendum, none of them were issued by the two main political parties. Surely we're entitled to a better debate on an issue of this importance. - Yours, etc.,
JOHN McDAID, Rathdown Road, Dublin 7.
A chara, - I find the 54 per cent support for the referendum proposal deeply disappointing (Irish Times/TNS mrbi poll, May 24th). I urge all those intent on voting to ask themselves two simple questions: Do I stand to benefit from a Yes vote? And if so, does my gain outweigh the loss to those whom it directly affects? - Is mise,
JOHN MORIARTY, Meadow Close, Blackrock, Co Dublin.
Madam, - It is depressing to see the high level of support for the Government's referendum proposal. It's not so long ago that many Irish men and women had no option but to emigrate if they wanted to give their families a chance in life. We still judge countries by how they reacted to us in our hour of need.
But now that we have one of the highest standards of living in the world, we propose to reject people who are in exactly the same situation that our ancestors suffered through 150 years ago. How is it possible? The problem is not that there are women coming to Ireland heavily pregnant and taking advantage of "loopholes" in our laws. The problem is that there are people in the world today whose situation is so desperate that they would put themselves through this just to give their children a chance in life - a chance they never had themselves.
Until we can eliminate the scourges of poverty, disease and senseless wars that leave people in such desperate situations, we should be looking for ways to share our good fortune with those who need it. With the benefit of the understanding our history gives us, we should be setting an example for other countries to follow. Often we do set a wonderful example of generosity and caring. But this referendum can turn all that on its head.
The numbers directly affected by the referendum may be small, but the symbolic message we may send the world is distressingly clear. - Yours, etc.,
DENIS O'SULLIVAN, Coolock, Dublin 5.
Madam, - I find it slightly incongruous that Jimmy Deenihan, TD is calling for undocumented Irish immigrants in the US to have their status regularised, while at the same time his party, Fine Gael, is calling for a Yes vote in the coming referedum. Am I missing something? - Yours, etc.,
RONAN CAHILL, Ranelagh, Dublin 6.