Immigration debate must not be allowed to become racist

12.25.42pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 22nd Aug 2006

Alliance Youth Wing Chair, Ian James Parsley

The Alliance Party's youth wing has expressed concern that a legitimate debate concerning the rights of Bulgarian and Romanian nationals to come to Northern Ireland after they join the EU could turn into an excuse for racism.

Chairman and North Down Councillor Ian James Parsley stated: "Free movement an absolutely essential foundation of the European Union and should have been respected by all member states after the entry of ten new countries in 2004. We should be proud that the UK and Ireland were prepared to stand up for that principle.

"However, there is a very real issue about nationals of member states entering in 2007, many of whose nationals in fact live outside the borders of the EU. This debate must not be allowed to become a forum for legitimising racism. The idea that huge numbers of Eastern Europeans have come to Northern Ireland to 'take all our jobs' or to 'scrounge off our benefits' is utter nonsense, and politicians must not allow it to enter the popular conscience. Such notions must be challenged at every turn.

"The facts are that we are currently enjoying full employment, and immigrants from other EU states do not qualify for benefit. Our employment difficulties concern getting our best-educated people into appropriate work, and the fact that this is not happening is nothing to do with immigration.

"How many of our own graduates would be prepared to move to a new country and work for pittance in restaurants, meat factories or orchards? Yet that is in fact what most recent immigrants have been doing.

"Not only do they contribute by working hard, but they bring qualifications to the workplace that we often lack here at home, they increase competition, and potentially could hugely broaden our education and skills base. No one doubts this brings with it significant challenges, but on balance it is extremely good news for the Northern Ireland economy.

"Our public representatives must now show their ability to lead by ensuring that this debate does not become a populist, racist free-for-all. The facts, and the genuine concerns people have, must be presented as they are."

ENDS