Sir, - I am delighted that there seems to be a growing consensus that immigrants can bring fresh blood and a new impetus to the Irish economy and country (David McWilliams, The Irish Times, January 8th, and Brendan Butler, Letters, January 6th). We have also had accusations of "state discrimination" and "racism" from the most unusual quarters - the small business employers desperate to employ the cheapest labour at the cheapest costs.
The Irish National Organisation of the Unemployed believes that if an asylum-seeker's application is not processed within six months, s/he must be allowed to work. But we do not believe it is right or just for employers to seek to exploit cheap labour from abroad when there are over 112,000 people on the live register seeking work.
David McWilliams is worried about us running down our reserve through falling unemployment. He says: "it may sound odd, but if unemployment keeps falling rapidly, the economy will eventually run out of people." Hence, keep unemployment up by recruiting the poor and exploited from other countries who have nothing and will work for less. I am sure this will sound "odd" to the thousands of people in this country struggling to get a job and keep their heads above water. - Yours, etc., Emma Jane Hoey, Vicechair, INOU,
North Richmond Street, Dublin 1