Irish society is still more concerned with past mistakes

Dear Editor, I was very glad to hear Bishop William Crean speaking out on the radio about the high number of deaths of migrants making the perilous journey across the Mediterranean.

He said the situation resonates strongly with the Irish experience of the ‘coffin ships’ during the time of the Great Famine and he called for a global solution to the crisis in order to tackle the root causes of forced migration.

However, in general I hear very little outcry in Ireland about this crisis. The Irish navy are doing admirable work in rescuing migrants and the praise for Lé Eithne and Lé Niamh is certainly warranted, but is that the best that we can do to help? European countries along the Mediterranean are struggling to deal with the influx of migrants and the rest of the EU seems reluctant to open their borders to share the burden.

In Ireland, the asylum seekers and refugees that have already arrived on our shores are treated disgracefully, trapped in the direct provision system for years with no quality of life and no future for their children.

We seem more interested in the mistakes of the past than facing up to what is happening here and now right under our noses. In years to come will we have panels appointed to investigate how society treated migrants, children and the elderly today?

Yours etc.,

Catherine Hanratty,

Douglas,

Cork.