Opposition rounds on Harris over migration comments

By Cillian Sherlock, PA

Opposition TDs have accused the Tánaiste of making “disgusting” and “cowardly” remarks about migration.

Simon Harris said he “absolutely” stands by comments he made about migration into Ireland being “too high”.

He said that the conversation around migration is not limited to international protection, and that population growth has impacts on public services and housing.

Mr Harris also accused opposition figures of attempting to “shut down debate” on migration.

Referencing this remark, Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon said it was an “absolutely cowardly response” and added that the opposition was “bringing facts to the debate”.

Mr Gannon said the Government had failed to manage the response to migration and accused it of following a “playbook” that was like the politics of Reform UK leader Nigel Farage or US President Donald Trump.

“They point to migrants in this country and say ‘they’re to blame’, they’re not to blame – the blame lies squarely at the hands of a Government who have lost the control of a capacity to manage (the situation)

“So what they’re trying to do is reclaim an ability to frame the narrative. It’s disgusting, it is cowardly.”

Mr Harris has also been criticised for not issuing a condemnation on social media relating to an arson attack on an accommodation centre for asylum seekers in Co Louth.

A number of people had to be rescued from the building in Drogheda, Co Louth, on Friday night.

They appear to be the kinds of comments that you'll hear from a misinformed bloke in the pub.

It has been reported the people rescued included four children, one of whom was a baby.

Labour TD Ged Nash, who is from Drogheda, said the Tanaiste was “only too happy” to make comments about migration last week but said he had not issued a “note of condemnation” against the attack on social media.

“People in positions of leadership and responsibility need to be responsible about the language that they use.

“You can’t simply say claim that Ireland has a problem with migration, or that migration numbers are too high and leave that particular reference out there without explaining what you mean.”

A spokesman for Mr Harris said he “absolutely condemns” the attack on the Drogheda centre “in the strongest possible terms”.

Mr Nash said the Tánaiste’s comments on migration were a response to Fine Gael’s unsuccessful presidential election campaign.

“And we know that the history of right-of-centre parties who describe migration and immigration in such terms is not good – and we’d ask for the Tánaiste to reflect on that.”

Mr Nash said: “Quite simply, as far as I’m concerned, they appear to be the kinds of comments that you’ll hear from a misinformed bloke in the pub who gets his information from Facebook.”

People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy said Mr Harris had made false statements on migration and later took a “deeply cynical” approach of accusing others of shutting down debate.

“The facts are that asylum seekers are not responsible for the problems in our country.

“Asylum seekers who have not followed deportation orders make up a tiny, tiny minority of all migrants who are here.”

Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan is also facing questions for his initial statement on the arson attack, in which he said the fire had been started by someone throwing a firework into the building.

CCTV footage that was subsequently released showed a man entering the property and pouring accelerant on stairs before starting a fire.

Asked about Mr O’Callaghan’s initial statement, Mr Nash said “we need to know where that come from”.

He said that it was clear to him on Saturday morning that the information in Mr O’Callaghan’s statement was “manifestly wrong”, adding that it had caused confusion.

Green Party leader Roderic O’Gorman, who held responsibility for accommodation centres as Minister for Integration in the previous coalition, said it was “absolutely incumbent” on Mr O’Callaghan to “speak accurately to the facts”.

He said when there had been attacks on centres during his tenure, he held off on statements until he was satisfied he had the full facts.

“This idea that we rush out with something quickly that is not fully backed by the facts doesn’t help the situation at all.”

He said the actual facts in Drogheda are “far more sinister” than the minister’s original statement.

Meanwhile, the Green leader said the cut of the length of time Ukrainian refugees arriving in Ireland can stay in State accommodation from 90 days to 30 as “basically the end of temporary protection”.

Mr O’Gorman, who himself had implemented the 90-day limit, added: “I don’t see how people can establish themselves in the 30-day situation.”

He also said he believes requiring international protection applicants with jobs to pay a contribution would have no impact on capacity within the system.

A spokesperson for Mr O’Callaghan has been contacted for comment.