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

Last week, the Taoiseach, in responding to Deputies Barry and Pringle, suggested that those who are pointing to the need to address the housing crisis were in some way giving succour to the far right. They were not; both Deputies were very clear about their position that refugees are welcome in this country. Does the Taoiseach accept that it is the case that where there is deprivation, neglected communities, a deep housing crisis with multiple generations living in one home and so on, it breeds alienation and is fuel for the likes of the far right to take people's righteous anger and turn it in the wrong direction? That is not to justify or excuse in any sense any racist or anti-refugee sentiments and so on. Rather, it is simply the reality that the likes of the far right prey on real social issues but then points people away from those responsible, that is, those at the top, towards those at the bottom.

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