Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity) | Oireachtas source

I can assure the Taoiseach I am very careful in what I say and I am very clear on my message that refugees are welcome here - all refugees - including the 130 people that this State deported in the past month alone. Does the housing crisis add to the crisis of racism in Irish society? Without any question, it does. Of course, they will blame everything. However, the housing crisis is a gift to them, which is why I have no faith in the Government to sort this issue. My faith is in the ordinary people.

We need a mass movement from below in Irish society on this issue. That is why I am very pleased that on Saturday, 18 February, the Le Chéile coalition is calling people out on to the streets. We need masses of ordinary people to rally against racism and fascism. This needs to be a demonstration which is not just anti-racist, but anti-Government as well, and calls for action on housing and the social crisis. I appeal to people to attend in very large numbers.

I note the fact that Fórsa is backing this demonstration and calling on its members to attend. That example needs to be followed. I call on every union in the country to make a similar call and help to make this a massive demonstration on 18 February.

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