Madam, - First, I would like to commend Bryan Mukandi for his excellent and thought-provoking article arguing that a subtle caste system operates in Ireland (Opinion Analysis, May 21st).
Public debate on immigration has been severely lacking, and it was intriguing to get the perspective of a person trying to integrate into Irish society.
It was also very depressing to read Mr Mukandi's analysis comparing immigrants and refugees to "Shudras" and "Untouchables" in the Hindu caste system - both at the bottom rungs of the ladder.
It seems trite to say it, but it is time for a proper discussion on immigration and integration. This must be an open debate, where all of the issues are properly addressed. It must be acknowledged that immigration brings serious challenges; those who raise the challenges should not be branded as racists.
These challenges are as small as the frustration of a person ordering a sandwich from someone who does not understand what they want, and as large as the challenge of integrating poor native Irish and immigrant communities in the same neighbourhoods.
We must be realistic. We must not cloud the real challenges of immigration with over-zealous political correctness or in ignorance and intolerance.
If the experience of our neighbours on this issue has taught us anything, it is that ignoring problems now leads to disastrous consequences later. Imagine race riots in working-class Dublin areas similar to those in Leeds and Bradford in the UK, or in the suburbs of Paris. Imagine the emergence of an ultra right-wing Irish party like the British National Party.
The goal of this debate should be to devise and implement a comprehensive policy on immigration. We must study the past mistakes of governments in countries like the UK, the Netherlands and France and learn from them. The goal of this policy should be the creation of a society where newcomers do not languish on the bottom rung of the ladder, but are entitled to the same rights and opportunities as everyone else, and one in which native people feel their concerns are heard, so that everyone may live peacefully together and learn from each other.
Only then can we call ourselves multicultural.
- Yours, etc,
JOHN O'REGAN, Hillside, Greystones, Co Wicklow.