Madam, - The president of Dublin City University, Prof Ferdinand von Prondzynski, is reported as saying that the indigenous Irish could become a minority ethnic group by 2050 but that we should not be afraid of this potential development as multiculturalism carries with it many benefits for Ireland (The Irish Times, March 19th).
He accepts that this may not be an accurate prediction, but bearing this possibility in mind, we should "prepare for a very different society".
While I agree that this new way of thinking would benefit us, it is surprising to note that the professor's conclusions are based on UK research that is neither published nor identified by him.
He may feel the research has sufficient credibility, but socially and culturally the UK is very different from Ireland, as is its experience of immigration, based as it is on post-colonialism.
More worrying, however, is the possibility of his comments being hijacked by anti-immigration groups in Ireland. There is significant anecdotal evidence of racism in our society and there are several anti-immigration groups. Comments by respected academics such as Prof von Prondzynski, however well intentioned, could be used by these groups to support xenophobic and racist views. - Yours, etc.,
CAROLINE McGEE,
Killiney,
Co Dublin.
Madam, - It was interesting to read Prof von Prondzynski's prediction (based on "unpublished UK-based research which he does not identify") that in 35 years we ethnic Irish could be a minority on this sainted isle.
Prof von Prondzynski is, I believe, of Polish ethnic origin and, as such, he may be interested in my own conclusions on a similar matter.
I base these on unpublished Co Mayo-based research which I am not prepared to identify.
I have calculated that, in 35 years, the majority groups in Poland will be ethnic Germans and Russians, the indigenous Poles having shrunk to a minority.
Given the professor's views that "immigration is almost always a good thing", I am sure he welcomes my conclusions as enthusiastically as I do his.
Separate studies I have undertaken indicate that, by around 2050, DCU will have expanded to stretch from Howth to Blanchardstown, its academic staff will number some 320,000, 98 per cent of whom will consist of "a multicultural and multi-ethnic mix", and 42 per cent of whom will be working part-time as columnists in The Irish Times. - Yours, etc.,
GERRY KENNEDY,
Killala,
Co Mayo.