Eileen Flynn (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I will address the rise of the far right. It is very rare that I would say I am afraid of anything but right now I am very afraid of the rise of the far right in Ireland. I hold great fear for the future if we do not stand together against hate and division. We do not have to agree on everything. We do not have to agree on economics and social policies.This threat should unify us as a country and as people. There is no place in our country for an agenda that divides us from one another and that seems to be the aim: to pit neighbour against neighbour, brother against brother and sister against sister. The only way to fight this is to stand together against it. I do not have to remind anyone in this House of our Proclamation's powerful pledge as a nation to cherish all the children of the nation equally. As a child, my mother always told me that blowing out someone else's candle will not make mine shine any brighter. She was right; it is by helping others that makes our own candles shine brighter.

There have been protests on our streets in recent weeks where people have not worn masks, with people engaging in pure nonsense behaviour in the middle of a pandemic. They have drawn attendance by and included speeches from members of far-right parties. There has been violence. We have seen our tricolour, the flag of every person who lives in Ireland, being used during these violent protests. The word "patriot" has been used as something to divide rather than unite us. Whether someone is a member of a political party or none, everyone has a duty of care and a responsibility to the people of Ireland. We should stand together against the rise of the far right. Now is the time for all Ireland to stand and unite in solidarity, not division. If we do not stand together against this threat, we will live to regret it. We should live and let live. I encourage everyone, especially this weekend, young and old, to wear their masks to protect themselves and others around them.