Paul Gavan (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I wish to discuss the horrendous situation of the President of the United States retweeting Britain First, a fascist grouping that left the British National Party because the latter was not fascist enough. I have seen the videos. They are videos of hate. They are horrific.

It is worth bearing in mind what Britain First is. It was founded by Mr. Jim Dowson, an anti-abortion campaigner and Christian fundamentalist who is closely associated with Ulster loyalism. That is who we are dealing with. Britain First campaigns against multiculturalism and believes in direct actions such as carrying out "Christian patrols". It believes in mosque invasions. These are the types of fascist to whom the President of the United States is giving his approval. They want to ban Muslims from holding public office. They want to bring back the death penalty.

I agree with what Mr. Jeremy Corbyn said when he called on the Prime Minister, Mrs. Theresa May, to condemn President Donald Trump's tweets, which I am glad she has done. Mr. Corbyn called the tweets "abhorrent, dangerous and a threat to our society". That is what these groups are.

As it is incumbent on all European leaders to do so, will the Leader call on the Taoiseach to make a strong statement condemning the President of the United States for aligning himself so openly with the worst far-right fascism? Let us not forget that we have it in our own country. I mentioned this only the other week in terms of Mr. Cyrus Christie and the horrible abuse that he suffered. Last week, a new fascist organisation in Dublin dropped a banner from the M50 in Blanchardstown that read: "Defend Ireland: Stop the Great Replacement". It was a message of racism and division.

This Saturday, the community of Blanchardstown will respond with its own banner in a show of support for and solidarity with migrants and refugees in Ireland.I encourage anyone who is available and in that area to come and support the people of Blanchardstown in standing up to this kind of right-wing tyranny. I ask the Leader, and I hope everyone will support me in this, to call on the Taoiseach to make a clear statement. We cannot be silent in the face of fascism, wherever it comes from, and that certainly includes the President of the United States.