Matt Shanahan (Waterford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am someone who speaks frequently in this House on the issues of equity and fairness and the fair distribution of Exchequer funding to support all citizens and residents of our country. Regarding the issue of migration, I might refer people to the health sector, which I know well and frequently reference. I would challenge anyone who is blind to the participation and invaluable contribution that non-national people in Ireland make. We just have to look at our acute hospital, primary care, community care and most especially our residential care sectors. The truth is that whatever people may think, without the participation of people who arrive to our shores, whether through the formal visa application process or other residency leave processes, we could not provide care to our most vulnerable without the wonderful contributions of such people.

Part of the recent national debate has focused on some of our more rural areas and the reactions there to inward migration and placement, whether it is Ukrainian refugees or temporary protection applicants. A large part of that reaction has been hijacked and positioned to appear as being far-right naked racism lurking there. How many people have taken the time to understand the level of community resourcing available in such parts of the country before moving significant numbers of people into these areas was contemplated under Government relocation programmes? Is it wrong for people in the regions to wonder why there does not seem to be the same impetus to target buildings in Dublin, such as the Jury's Ballsbridge site, or the Baggot Street hospital site for migration and accommodation?

Should people in the country who have been left out of national Exchequer support for years not have a right to feel some outrage when it appears that they are carrying, yet again, a far heavier, and perhaps unfair burden, compared to those they perceive to be making such decisions? Are people who are asking for additional policing, teaching or medical resources out of step when they wonder what level of background checks and vetting are being provided to people who are arriving into their communities, sometimes with little advance notice? They need more support and that is what they are saying.

My firm belief is that racism and the far-right agenda have been hijacked. However, it does not represent who the Irish people are. These things are certainly being used as a tool and are being deployed to provide for an ultra-right agenda. People want to see processes that are clearly understood, managed, communicated and resourced. That is what people need to see being rolled out. People in Irish communities are crying out for housing. They see a planning process that does not work for them and yet can be sidestepped when it comes to bringing people in for international placement. That is an inequity and is something the Government needs to look at.

It is the responsibility of Government to fully communicate the overall migration policy. To that point, I refer the Minister to an ambiguity I noticed today. We have announced Algeria as being a safe country in terms of international protection application and yet on the Department of Foreign Affairs website, Irish citizens are advised not to travel to Algeria, except for essential reasons and to exercise a high degree of caution. There is ambiguity in the communication strategy. This is the first thing that needs to be referenced by the Minister.

See this speech in context