Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

They are far-right activists peddling lies about vulnerable people in order to further their own agenda. This has been an increasing theme in the past six months. We have seen the emergence of an insidious thread of racism, xenophobia and unfounded rumours. Misinformation and outright lies have been spread on social media and in communities. There is vilification of men, in particular, who come here seeking international protection, some of whom have been tortured and exploited, who come here seeking refuge and are denigrated as something other, something to be feared.

International protection means fairly and humanely examining a claim for asylum, sheltering and supporting people while that claim is assessed, and giving people the right to stay here in safety where it is adjudicated that this right is needed. We should not be ashamed of doing that, nor should we shy away from it. This also means that some people will not be successful in their applications and will have to return to their home countries. We should not vilify those people either.

Our deep history of immigration means we have an instinctive understanding of the plight of those seeking to make a better life elsewhere. I have said in this Chamber before and I will say again there is not one Irish person who has not had a family member - a male family member - who has gone abroad seeking a better life as an economic migrant. We view them as our families and proud relatives living elsewhere and we should recognise that other countries do that as well. It cannot be an accepted norm that the provision of basic shelter to any human being relies on the consent of another, whether from Ireland or abroad. I have always believed that respect for human rights and an understanding of the plight of people in need - particularly those forced to flee abroad - is the mark of Irishness. We should be proud of that and we should sustain it when it is under attack.

I want to recognise the strong support from across all parties for the ongoing efforts to accommodate all those who are fleeing here. I have had many constructive engagements with Deputies from all sides of the House, and I am committed to continuing those engagements. My Department will work to expand its communications and engagement efforts, as well as working with the Department of the Taoiseach on the cross-Government communications plan.

It is important to recognise once again, after a week in which we have heard these negative stories, the thousands of Irish people in communities across our country who are warmly embracing people who have fled here, be it from Ukraine or through the international protection process, and they are the true mark of Irishness. When those negative headlines come in our national newspapers and in our national media, it is important that we do not forget the amazing work that is taking place in every community across our country.

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