Time for debate on immigration
The statement by Libertas candidate Raymond O'Malley that Irish borders should be closed to the 10 EU accession states as long as Ireland's high unemployment rate persists, should be welcomed.
While Libertas and its motives might justifiably arouse suspicion for many reasons, the most important point in this case is that Mr O'Malley's statement -- right or wrong -- might finally lead to a much-needed Dail debate on the issue of immigration.
It is inconceivable that a State that considers itself modern and free-thinking cannot even bring itself to discuss certain issues in its national parliament.
Immigration and nuclear energy are two such issues which spring readily to mind.
The insistence of our politicians and public figures that immigration must only be considered a positive thing is nothing but lazy appeasement of the PC brigade and does a great disservice to this country.
And speaking of lazy, how predictable was Fine Gael senator John Paul Phelan's response, when he accused Mr O'Malley of playing the race card? It is the right of any state to police its own borders and it is high time that cliches such as 'the race card' ceased to be rolled out so readily.
J O'Brien
Phibsboro, Dublin 7
