They naturally resent the fact that they are denied the opportunity to do so. The absurdity of this situation is that sections of the Irish economy are crying out for workers and immigrant labour could only be of great benefit to them. Gerry Raftery, the Franciscan justice director at the Merchant s Quay project in Dublin, a project where volunteers provide language classes, legal advice and support services to some 120 asylum-seekers from Eastern Europe, belongs to an increasing body of opinion which believes that an amnesty could be a solution to the present situation. The numbers grew quite quickly last year and we haven t been able to deal with it administratively. An amnesty would give them a breathing space.
Immigration is a new phenomenon in Ireland.
Irish people have the benefit of learning from the tragic mistakes that other European countries have made over the past three decades and ensuring that they don t repeat these same mistakes. Dealing with difference is challenging. However it is a challenge that the Irish government will have to face up to and address in a positive manner. He also works as a development worker with Limerick Traveller Development Group. The Sunday Business Post Posted 02 May 2000 by the Patrin Web Journal with permission of the author.