A chara, - I was, to say the least, nonplussed by Priya Rajsekar's article on the citizenship referendum (Opinion, June 16th). While I do not necessarily disagree with her primary contention that there was not sufficient debate and discussion on the issue, I must take issue with the rest of her essay. She asserts that almost 80 per cent of the State's population of four million people voted Yes to the Government's proposal. As should be clear to anyone - but most particularly a journalist like Ms Rajsekar - 79.2 per cent of 59.9 per cent of the electorate voted yes. That is to say, only 35.7 per cent of the Irish populace (or 46.9 per cent of the entire electorate) actually voted for the constitutional amendment.
As a fellow foreigner living in Dublin I find this apparent justification for rudeness to our Irish hosts rather offensive. Not only does it do nothing to inform the debate, it also does nothing to portray the real situation of foreigners in Ireland. I would point out to Ms Rajsekar that while she may disagree with the referendum's result, it is patently clear that the sky has not fallen in - it has hardly as though a right-wing demagogue in the mould of Jean Marie Le Pen or Joerg Haider has been elected as Taoiseach or as though modern-day Black and Tans were rampaging through the streets of every village and town in search of foreigners outstaying their welcome.
In short, Ireland remains the same friendly place it was before the referendum and Ms Rajsekar's short-sighted reaction is not really helping anyone, least of all herself or the other foreigners living in Ireland. - Is mise,
LAURENCE KNELL, Rochestown Avenue, Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin.
A Chara, - I would like to add my voice to those who are deeply disappointed by the result of the referendum on citizenship. However, I take exception to Marie Altzingers's letter of June 17th. While sarcastically suggesting a need to replace St Patrick as patron saint because of his lack of Irish ancestry, she says: "Just to prove how welcoming we still are as a nation, might I propose one of the potentially draft-dodging Americans who have recently rediscovered their Irish grannies in order to obtain Irish passports?"
For what reason must Ms Altzinger slight Irish-Americans? Does she know of even one US-born person seeking Irish citizenship who may "potentially" draft-dodge (not an easy thing to do when there currently is no military draft in the United States)? Did it ever occur to her that the reason Irish-Americans become dual nationals is out of a sense of pride in and respect for their own roots?
Ms Altzinger's remarks are intellectually juvenile and factually misleading. Ironically, such remarks lead to the stereotypes and prejudice which often lie behind the unenlightened attitudes which appear to concern her. - Is mise,
JAMES G. ASHE, Boston, USA.
Madam, - I assure Harry Roberts (June 19th) and others who voted Yes that I accept the result of the citizenship referendum although shell-shocked by the turn-out and the percentage of Yes votes. As a non-caucasian, naturalised Irish citizen who has lived here for 37 years, most of them exceedingly happy, may I say right now I do feel "soundly thrashed", to quote Mr Roberts's own phrase. He could not have described his sense of victory better - the message is loud, clear and simple.
I voted No, but I am not in denial; I know where exactly I stand now: a permanent alien. - Yours etc.,
MARY TOOMEY, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co Dublin.
Madam, - I voted Yes in the referendum because I agree with the comment made some time ago by the British politician Norman Tebbit: there is no such thing as a happy multicultural society.
The evidence is all round us in Europe and the rest of the world. Indeed, you could argue that immigration has already begun to have the same pernicious effect on our small island. - Yours, etc.,
ANDREW JONES, Clonee, Co Meath.