Madam, - Following the destruction endured by France during the second World War, the labour of immigrant workers was employed to rebuild the nation. When the reconstruction was completed, the foreign families were no longer welcome.
When the immigrants refused to leave what had become their home, the authorities failed to properly integrate their new citizens into wider French society. This happened throughout Europe. With poor education, few job prospects and utter alienation, what we have witnessed in the past two weeks throughout France comes as no surprise to the French people. Neighbouring nations will fear the spread of this discontent.
Ireland needs to heed this admonition and learn that immigrant workers fuelling our economy now cannot be alienated and forgotten in the future - in particular if and when our economy begins to falter. As a small nation we can learn and implement lessons already learnt by our European cousins. - Mise le meas,
JOHN KYNE, Royal Canal Park, Dublin.