John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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37. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide details of the level of co-operation taking place between his Department and other Departments to protect asylum seekers from right-wing groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26084/23]

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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Will the Minister tell me the level of co-operation between Departments to face down the emerging right-wing threat, which we, unfortunately, saw play out on the streets of this capital a couple of weeks ago when vulnerable people were burnt out of their homes - their tents - and their personal belongings by fascists and racists? What cross-departmental engagement has taken place to face down the threat of this minority of right-wing activists?

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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In the first instance, I condemn any actions designed to intimidate vulnerable international protection applicants, including children, who have fled war and persecution. These actions cause fear and distress for the applicants, but as some of these protests take place outside centres, they result in the intimidation of staff as well. I also condemn the attempts to stigmatise and demonise men who seek international protection. We have to recognise that men are victims of war and state persecution and repression as well.

Peaceful protest for communities is a right that is guaranteed under our laws, but where any criminal activity takes place, that is a matter for An Garda Síochána. My Department actively engages with An Garda Síochána at local, regional and national level regarding issues related to the opening, closing or management of centres. I also met with the Garda Commissioner, Garda senior management and the Minister for Justice two weeks ago. We discussed in detail the measures being taken across the country and I am satisfied An Garda Síochána is taking these matters seriously. I am also very satisfied with the support my Department and its officials have received in recent weeks in terms of new openings that have taken place.

It is important to note that in the vast majority of cases, even where accommodation locations have to open at very short notice due to the scale of arrivals, communities throughout Ireland are very welcoming to international protection applicants. I have engaged with a series of community organisations when new centres are opening to provide information and to dispel any misinformation being circulated. International protection applicants have a right to live peacefully in what is essentially their new home in Ireland while their application is being processed.

In addition to intensive engagements with Garda colleagues, my officials also work with local public representatives, a wide range of other State agencies and NGOs to address the needs of arriving applicants.

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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I agree that most right-minded people would condemn what we have seen happening on our streets. Attacks on vulnerable people and burning them out of their tents on Sandwith Street in the capital have no place anywhere in the world and must be condemned by all right-thinking people. It must be said that a small number of bigots, fascists and racists are intent on sowing hatred on our streets and in communities across the State. They are intent on exploiting a situation and communities for their own political agenda, and this needs to be faced down. I do not think we have seen a uniform and coherent approach that is cross-departmental in terms of tackling that. That is what is needed.

We also need to see a stronger approach from An Garda Síochána. I hear what the Minister is saying, which is that he, the Department and the Government are satisfied with the approach of An Garda Síochána, but some would say it is light touch. In some communities, gardaí can be seen standing back and allowing members of the community to board buses and video their occupants, which is wrong. I would question the approach of An Garda Síochána.

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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In recent weeks and indeed recent days, we have opened a number of new international protection locations across the country, some of which were opened during protests. I recognise the support. We work on the advice of An Garda Síochána. The safety of international protection applicants we are moving to a new site is our priority, and we will take the operational advice of An Garda Síochána in terms of how such moves take place. We have received significant support in terms of operations on a day-to-day basis.

The Deputy is right, however, that, as a society, we must respond to the scourge of racism. Racism was an issue in Irish society long before the war in Ukraine and the increase in international protection applicants. One of the key steps we have taken is the publication of the national action plan against racism two months ago. A funding call is going out on foot of that in terms of an all-of-government response to the incidences of racism we are seeing at the moment and the systemic racism we know exists and has existed in part of Ireland for decades.

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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I believe the vacuum that exists relates to an earlier question of mine regarding communication with communities. Unfortunately, up until this point, there has not been appropriate or adequate communication with communities and this has allowed a vacuum to develop and some of these minority groups have filled it with misinformation and preyed on the vulnerability of communities experiencing challenges due to a lack of services. We need a very strong communication strategy from Government to challenge the misinformation, hatred and bile put out by this very small number of people who are not representative of communities anywhere in this State. We need a very strong communications strategy to challenge that misinformation.

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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I disagree with the Deputy slightly. I recognise that, regarding the hundreds of locations for accommodation opened in the country in the past 13 months, there have been instances where my Department and Government could have done better in terms of communication. However, the Deputy must also recognise that a huge amount of work has been done. My Department has provided notification briefings for 76 accommodation openings across the country. I, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage and our political staff have done 35 phone meetings, 24 online briefings and 17 in-person meetings. The Minister and I have engaged with residents in Finglas, East Wall, Mullingar, Kinnegad, Castletown Geoghegan, Clondalkin, Castlebar, Artane, Roscrea, Leixlip, Skerries, Clane, Kill, Newbridge, Thurles, Cavan and Cork and numerous other locations around the country. We have engaged either online or in person to try to address and get to the bottom of those myths that, as the Deputy says, some groups seek to exploit.