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

It is a matter of concern to me that anti-face mask protests have been organised across the country in recent weeks. I believe that those who are anti-masks and organising these marches are anti-workers because wearing a mask protects the worker behind the counter in the shop, the driver on the bus and so on. These marches, in most cases, have been organised by the far right. They have tried to build a base on racism and on homophobia and they are now trying to do it on the basis of frustration with coronavirus restrictions. They are being helped by some of the actions of the political establishment. Golf-gate created anger which swelled the marches.

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