Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity) | Oireachtas source

A riot was organised by Ireland's far right 12 days ago. It was organised by racist organisations and fascist organisers. Shop workers were terrorised and bus workers, gardaí and firefighters were attacked. What did the Tánaiste do tonight? Instead of making criticism, when he looks around the Dáil, of those Deputies who promote the talking points of Ireland's far right and who have been happy to pose for photographs with some of their organisers, he attacks the proposers of this motion and the socialist left. The Tánaiste accused Deputy McDonald of not giving warning in advance, but there was no shortage of warnings from various sources. On 25 September, The Irish Timesran an article headlined, "Why weren’t warnings about the far-right threat taken seriously?" In it, columnist Una Mullaly wrote, "The political entity that has countered this threat on our streets, in communities, and in parliament most consistently, is Solidarity-People Before Profit." Who does the Tánaiste attack? Precisely the best anti-fascists in that regard. The Tánaiste is well aware of this but he prefers making cynical jibes on the floor of the Dáil to making a serious contribution to this debate.

I want to comment on the Minister's response to the riot. It is a law and order response and it will not work. You cannot pepper spray alienation, baton charge anger and social inequality, Taser the housing crisis or use water cannon to wash away a culture of toxic masculinity. The Government has failed to tackle the social crisis, which gives an audience to the far right and has brought many young people out onto the streets. I have no confidence in this Minister, this Government, or the unjust social system of capitalism they defend.

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