Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am sharing time with Deputies Connolly and Joan Collins. I thank the Ceann Comhairle for the opportunity to speak on the issue of accommodation needs for new arrivals to Ireland.

We have been dealing with an accommodation crisis for a long time; long before the war in Ukraine and the increase in the number of migrants coming into the country. This is not a new issue, and it certainly is not a migrant issue. Anyone who suggests otherwise obviously does not have a clear understanding of the issue or he or she knows well the facts and yet is purposely misleading the public for an ulterior, and far more sinister, motive. It can be very easy to fall into this trap. The public feel they are owed an explanation as to why their Government has failed to support them and their families. In the absence of leadership from the Government on this issue, people may look to what seems an easy explanation without thinking it through or considering the consequences.

I would like to take this opportunity to urge the public to not let those on the far right use them like this. Those on the far right will not care about the public once the public has served its purpose. Their concern only extends as far as getting what they need. Once they achieve that, the public will be left in the same position but the divisions that are left will negatively affect so many lives, particularly those of the most vulnerable in our society. I do not think anyone wants to contribute to that. I have been made aware of many groups that have been established in recent weeks under the pretence of protecting their communities. Let me make it clear that these groups are not protecting communities; they are hurting them. Hate begets hate, and creating an environment of hostility and spite will do nothing to improve communities. In fact, the only thing that those in many rural communities have is the support and friendship they give each other. Communities should not let this be dismantled by those who have no idea of the meaning of community.

I am always supportive of communities mobilising and of letting their voices be heard, but they have to who they are pointing the finger at. Years of inaction by Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have created this crisis. Only the Government has the power to fix it. People who have come to this country to seek asylum and who are in the most vulnerable position imaginable have no power and are often left voiceless and abandoned in hotel rooms, centres or even on the streets. How can we truly believe that people who have been left in this situation pose any threat? Our population has still not returned to pre-Famine levels. There is room for everyone in this country and for plenty more. The reality is that if all migrants left tomorrow, we would still have people sleeping on the streets and there would still be families in temporary accommodation and students camping out in their cars. I ask the public to consider who is really at fault here. It is clearly the Government we should be rallying against. Communities are stronger together. I implore the public not to allow unnecessary and unwanted divisions to destroy this.

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