Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Deputy for raising the issue. At the outset, I would condemn unreservedly the attacks the Deputy has referenced in terms of the Brazilian delivery person. I have also read reports in terms of three Afghan asylum seekers reporting to the Garda that they had been viciously attacked in their car. There is, and has been a growing, atmosphere, largely fuelled by elements within society that are far removed from this House, let us be honest, who are seeking to gain electoral and popular traction in respect of their views. The responsibility of this House and all parties in it is to make sure those views do not hold sway or get a disproportionate influence. That is actually the challenge facing us.

To conflate a Government seeking to create a fair and robust asylum-seeking process or programme with elements on the far right who are peddling hate is not fair and I think it is wrong. I would not conflate the two at all. People have had concerns about migration in society. There is no point in trying pretend, or put our heads in the sand, that people did not have concerns. They do. Our challenge is to articulate and engage with people with those concerns.

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