Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
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I apologise to the speakers. I thank them for their contributions not only today, but also over the past couple of months. The past couple of months have been, without question, what can only be described as the scariest time that I have witnessed in politics for a long time. The speakers have all been at the coalface of combating it, talking to people and fighting back against the hate. I feel we have gotten to a point where we have reclaimed some of the ground in our communities. Even right now in my community in the north inner city, they have been absolutely essential to that. I thank them.

During the past couple of weeks, I have tried to demonstrate what the Deputy said in terms of having more face-to-face conversations than online conversations. Inevitably, when I get to a community group, our witnesses have been there probably a couple of days before. That seems to be what is happening. It is not only appreciated but one can see the impact. One consequence of that is community workers and local leaders - whether or not they knew they were local leaders beforehand, they certainly are now – are absolutely exhausted. They have reclaimed the narrative and space of compassion in communities.

I have only one question. What lessons have we all taken, collectively, from the past couple of months? What can we do differently over the next year or so? This is by no means even close to being over. For example, people will come here seeking sanctuary and more reception centres will open. What can the State, politicians across the divide and those in the NGO-civic spaces do differently over the next year? More importantly, what can the State do differently? We have been appalling in how we communicate. What can we do differently?