Sir, - I doubt very much that Ivor Callely is a racist for the simple reason that I doubt if he has a clearly thought-out philosophy on any issue. I imagine that in general he would be reluctant to even offer an opinion on the weather for fear that someone in the constituency might see it differently. Even on local issues he seems to want to take every side, and therefore none. If he does take a stance, you can be sure that he's done his sums.
In this context his comments of last week are important not so much for what they say about him, but rather for what they say about the rest of us. Ivor's outspokenness (which has gone completely unchallenged by his Fine Gael and Labour constituency colleagues) speaks volumes for where public opinion lies on the immigration issue. It is wrong to assume that it is only in less-well-off areas where people are worried about competition for state benefits that there is a reluctance to embrace immigrants. Ireland has a long history of ingrained suspicion of difference and fear of change and such prejudices pervade all levels of society.
These fears can be overcome (we've seen successful social change on other issues over the last decade or so) if they are engaged with and if the clear case for more immigration on humanitarian, economic and cultural grounds is convincingly articulated. Unfortunately, what we're getting instead is a dangerously increased polarisation between the supine political correctness of media and intellectual elites (including The Irish Times) telling people how awful they are, and Callely's brand of populism.
The Irish Times op-ed writers can call for heads all they like, but unless they quit the ivory tower and cut out the condescension, it is Ivor who will be laughing all the way to the count - and the cause of multiculturalism in Ireland will not be served. - Yours, etc.,
Ronan Garvey, Mount Prospect Drive, Clontarf, Dublin 3.