Ms Lorna Hayes:

The Deputy is quite right in his comments on migration. The sentiment in Ireland is multifaceted and there is no clear response. However, the question very much focused on the EU's response. We looked at the top-line data as to whether the EU has a cohesive policy in its response to refugee crises and border security related issues. That is where the sentiment is. We cannot interpret why people respond in a certain way but a lot of the narrative that comes from Brussels very much securitises migration. It is often very negative. It is about deportations, externalising refugee protection, third-country deals, pushing people back, return hubs etc. There is rarely a positive narrative coming from Brussels about the rights of refugees and their needs for international protection. To a certain degree, that could also influence public sentiment. For us and for everyone else working on EU affairs and migration, it is really important to be aware of how we talk about these issues.

The 2024 ESRI report concluded that public sentiment towards refugees and migrants is very positive when tracked across EU member states. It remains one of the most positive in the EU. We are lucky in Ireland and we should use the window we have. Those on the far right can easily weaponise the issue of migration and have done so already. For us, particularly as part of civil society, we are trying to look at how we can respond to that and have a more humane conversation about the issue.