You can’t compare Irish and Middle East emigration

While Jean-Claude Juncker reminded us of our own history of emigration, he overlooked two outstanding differences between the Irish emigrants and the current influx of migrants to Europe in that the Irish emigrants were not handed money and a house on their arrival but had to earn their way.

And those emigrants to the US were whole-hearted in embracing the American culture of liberty and the ideals of its declaration of independence. Something that cannot be said for a great influx of Muslim immigrants to Europe who do not accept the freedoms on which our society is founded.

John McGrath