Sir, - With more foreign nationals seeking refugee status the issue of racism in Ireland is being addressed as never before.However, for as long as anyone cares to remember, a form of racism against a section of our own people, the travellers, has been alive and encouraged with ever increasing bitterness, very often by people who will never have any contact with the travelling community. There is, in the minds of many, a kind of "patriotic" fervour which allows them to decide the very sight of travellers is offensive to their sensitive eyes. Racism is definitely alive and kicking. - Yours, etc., Robert O'Sullivan, Bantry Co. Cork.