Census figures are something to celebrate

I WANT to take issue with your editorial (July 1) on the population growth shown in the recent census.

The census report informs us that Ireland still has the highest birthrate amongst the 27 European countries. You seem to infer that this is a bad thing.

The Irish birthrate has reached 2.1 which means that we are just at replacement level.

You must not be aware that every country in Europe would love to have our story. Have you not heard of the European demographic winter? Many European countries, e.g., Germany, France, Sweden, Poland, Italy, are offering cash incentives for couples to have babies, as they are already well below replacement level.

At the same time as a declining birthrate in Europe, there is an increased aging population, because of a higher life expectancy.

Together with couples getting married later, it all adds up to a smaller working population supporting a larger elderly population.

You need not be a prophet to see where this leads. There is already increasing pressure to make the aged, the sick and the disabled choose to die so that they won’t be a burden on their families.

Thank God so far we haven’t gone down this road in Ireland. But we should be careful what we wish for.

Loretta O’Connor

Bishopstown Cork