Danny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

It is very clear to many that the Government has lost control of the migration issue. At the same time, many of our own young men and women, boys and girls, are leaving this country to go to Australia, Dubai, Canada and other places because they cannot afford to build houses or to buy them. In Kerry, they cannot even get planning permission to build houses. Many of our young farmers are deciding not to take over viable, productive farms that a lot of money, sweat and blood has been put into to ensure the continuation. These youngsters are deciding they are not prepared to take on the constant vilification, demonisation and regulation being doled out by the Government of Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil and being demanded and driven by the Green Party and others.

Our tourism industry in Killarney and Kerry in general is suffering because of the influx of migrants who are placed in so many of our hotels and guest houses. Some 36% of bed night availability is taken up by asylum seekers and refugees. Already, many small restaurants, cafés, pubs and souvenir shops have closed. I have been canvassing since 1973. I have never met so many people concerned about and raising the migration issue with me on the doorsteps. They feel the Government has lost complete control of the issue. Nobody objects to asylum seekers or refugees if they have a genuine case of distress. Who can explain how they salvaged their cats and dogs if the bombs were dropping around them or why our taxpayers are paying so much to quarantine these animals? Who can explain how they got time to bring their flashy SUVs and high-powered cars registered in Ukraine with them? How did they get time to do that? They are going home for holidays and for Christmas. However, we were told their homes were bombed and blown out of existence. Nobody objects to other people from anywhere in the world coming here to work, provided they have the proper visas and whatever they need to do that. What people here are objecting to is people being placed in hotels, being paid full social welfare and all the benefits and having a good time inside those hotels. How can the Taoiseach explain that? That is what is happening. At the same time, the Government is hurting our tourism industry in Killarney and across Kerry.

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