Michael Collins (Cork South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

First and foremost, let me be unequivocal. Any deliberate arson attack on property is condemnable, regardless of the rationale behind such acts. They are criminal and should be dealt with swiftly by the State's law enforcement authority, An Garda Síochána. The risk of someone being killed or injured in an arson attack is real and the act of burning buildings is deeply wrong and unhelpful to any cause. If this trend continues it could result in the loss of precious lives; lives that matter to our families, our communities and our nation. However, let us not ignore the occurrence of public anger that surged through our society. The temperature of discontent has risen to a point where more fire attacks are likely in 2024. When local communities feel unheard and their voices are stifled by bureaucracy or political inertia, some individuals may the law into their own hands. Desperation breeds desperate actions and in many cases they may get away with it and escape the grasp of justice.

Why are certain buildings targeted? Why do we witness a pattern of arson attacks directed at structures related to immigration? The answer lies in the Government strategy or perhaps its lack thereof. Until now, the strategy has been to impose information blackouts about migrant accommodation centres. These centres are often tucked away from public view because they become focal points of tension. The deliberate withholding of information aims to pre-empt local opposition. However, the consequences are far reaching. The Government's communication strategy on migrant accommodation centres inadvertently encourages misinformation and rumour by keeping communities in the dark. It creates fertile ground for speculation, fear and mistrust. Transparency becomes a casualty. Public engagement remains illusive We have consistently called for a change of strategy, advocating for transparency and meaningful dialogue, yet our pleas have fallen on deaf ears. If the Government was trusted to provide accurate information by local communities, there would be no room for misinformation.

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