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

In recent weeks and indeed recent days, we have opened a number of new international protection locations across the country, some of which were opened during protests. I recognise the support. We work on the advice of An Garda Síochána. The safety of international protection applicants we are moving to a new site is our priority, and we will take the operational advice of An Garda Síochána in terms of how such moves take place. We have received significant support in terms of operations on a day-to-day basis.

The Deputy is right, however, that, as a society, we must respond to the scourge of racism. Racism was an issue in Irish society long before the war in Ukraine and the increase in international protection applicants. One of the key steps we have taken is the publication of the national action plan against racism two months ago. A funding call is going out on foot of that in terms of an all-of-government response to the incidences of racism we are seeing at the moment and the systemic racism we know exists and has existed in part of Ireland for decades.

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