Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The last EU Council meeting in December was a pivotal one. The war in Ukraine, the enlargement of the EU, the revision of the EU’s multi-annual financial framework and the conflict in the Middle East were all on the agenda. These issues sparked a variety of opinions among EU leaders. Why would they not?

The meeting aimed to reach a consensus on enlargement, specifically on the potential of EU accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova, and the granting of candidate status to Georgia. The Taoiseach supports Georgia’s accession to Europe even though thousands of undocumented Georgians, most of whom are male, come in here every year. That is an issue that has a knock-on effect on all of us. EU enlargement had been off the agenda since Croatia joined in 2013, but it is now back in the spotlight. Nine candidates are currently have application status. There are lots of issues and lots of cohesion is needed.

What is going on in Gaza is atrocious. Is mór an trua é that the European community and European states cannot have a unanimous, cohesive call for a ceasefire. It is appalling from Hamas and it is doubly appalling what Israel is doing. It is a pity that weakness is there. We are showing that weakness. If the EU as a project is to stick together and have any respect on the world stage, surely we should be able to unite on something like that. It is a pity that we cannot.

I would like to join the previous speaker in mentioning work permits and visas. It is so hard to get these work permits and visas. There is such a delay. Companies and businesses must put up money first and there is a huge delay. We want them. We have had migration in this country for decades and it has benefited our economy greatly, but the situation we find ourselves in now is extremely difficult. There is a single narrative. I saw Deputy Harkin being belittled by the Taoiseach here today. All voices must be heard. We cannot have this single narrative where we cannot call on anybody who has issues. She said that she stood up in a public meeting to defend the system and condemn people on the far right. Describing everyone with a contrary opinion or voice as “far right” does not cut the mustard, however; it is disingenuous, it is not fair and it is not right.

It is shocking what happened in Roscrea. There are very welcoming people in Roscrea. Over the years, they have accepted many foreign nationals who are working in the workforce there.

One of them spoke at a rally there on Saturday week. He is there 20 years, a Polish gentleman, and his family are settled there. There is integration and they are respectable people. The whole media tarnishing them as far right and as extremists is shocking, disgraceful, untrue and unfair. There has been no consultation. Every time there is an incident, we hear there will be better consultation. This has been going on since Deputy Ring, the Minister of State's colleague, stood on the Government benches in 2019 and looked for consultation and a public debate and, of course, he did not get it.

What happened in Roscrea was to take the only functioning hotel out of the town. It is the only place people can use for social cohesion and events. There were staff working there who were literally told overnight that they could not work. We need to do this better and to listen to people. The Minister, Deputy O'Gorman, needs to go down to Roscrea and sit down with a subcommittee of that group of people who are still at the hotel. They did not and would not stop anybody from going in there. There was absolutely no attempt by the Garda Síochána to negotiate or to ask for a mediator. It was disgraceful. There were many people who could have done that. I would have travelled and have done that. I have often been involved in protests where there is always a mediator and negotiations. It was heavy-handed and extremely mishandled by An Garda Síochána. Those are men and women, grannies and grandparents, people who work and live there. Another Minister said how were they out there when they should be working. They are working. Some have taken holidays and leave and come off shifts and come there in the rota. They are genuine people, not racists or bigoted and not in any way discriminatory. They want their town to be recognised where enough is enough. They have 600 already. Some 85% of the International Protection Accommodation Services, IPAS, applicants in Tipperary are in one town, Roscrea. Fair play is fine play with me but the people of Roscrea need fair play and respect.

The Government then offers the people another hotel that is not even for sale. Tá sé dúnta ar feadh 12 bhliain. The Government might open it, buy it and might do it up. It is patent nonsense, reactionary and is not helpful to the situation. There are good people in Tipperary. They are the best of people in Roscrea. They want to integrate but they want to be respected and negotiated with and not bulldozed. Gabhaim buíochas.

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