Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE) | Oireachtas source

As night follows day, racist violence follows anti-refugee protests. In recent weeks we have seen a dramatic escalation of violence against migrants in Dublin in particular. On Saturday, 28 January, homeless migrant men were attacked with dogs, sticks and a baseball bat at Ashtown. On Monday, 30 January, a building in Sheriff Street burned down seemingly because it was wrongly suspected of being planned for use by asylum seekers. On 1 February, footage emerged of someone attempting to drive over a pedestrian after asking them, "Are you an immigrant?" On Thursday, 2 February a group of international students were racially abused and physically attacked at the Broadstone Technological University Dublin Luas stop.

The vast majority of people abhor this and abhor seeing protests outside vulnerable people's temporary inadequate accommodation. That is the reason thousands will be on the streets on 18 February. The Taoiseach said earlier we should not give any succour to racist arguments and I agree. Does he agree therefore that he should stop the discrimination against migrants and against asylum seekers from countries other than Ukraine? We should not be putting them on the street with a Dunnes Stores voucher and €5 in phone credit.

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