Rónán Mullen (Independent) | Oireachtas source

The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage may well be licking his wounds this morning after Independent Deputy, Carol Nolan, effectively went through him for a shortcut yesterday in the Dáil because of the way he answered her question about social cohesion issues that might arise from the combined challenges of the housing crisis, immigration and asylum issues and accommodating victims of the war on Ukraine by Russia.

In accusing Deputy Nolan of threatening social cohesion, the Minister failed to recognise that it is the job of people in opposition and even Independents - I would argue even people within Government parties - to constantly question how the State, the Government and those who have the privilege of running the country, are dealing with very serious problems. I speak as someone who has always said on immigration matters that I believe in a policy that is generous but structured, structured but generous. That applies not just to those seeking asylum, but also to those who are known as economic migrants, who seek to make a better life for themselves - people who are fleeing poverty and so on. Only a fool would say that there can be no limits to that process. Globalisation has benefited us financially and it is not surprising that First World countries like ours would have a continual stream of people seeking to make a better life here. We have plenty of room in this country. We had 8 million people before the Famine, but the question is whether we have either the plan or the resources. If we are failing our own citizens badly on housing and health and if we present as if we can take endless numbers of people, that is an irresponsible approach. Sooner or later, it will generate problems of social cohesion.

Yesterday in the Dáil, the Minister seemed to have indicated that there is no cap and no ceiling. As far as I can see, that is the first time such a policy has been espoused. What worries me is that there appears to be no plan either. That is what Deputy Nolan was right to ask about. What are our plans? If she is asking quite legitimately if it is intended or foreseen that people will be living on the floors of hotel rooms indefinitely, she is exercising an important responsibility as a Member of the Dáil in challenging the Government about that. I know the answers to these issues are not easy, but the questions have to be asked. If our response to issues from gender to immigration in society is to accuse people who ask the hard questions of somehow seeking to foment discord or to stoke up discontent, that is monstrous. It is always a temptation for politicians, in particular those in power, to try to pretend that problems do not exist, while in fact they may be developing.

I often have the experience where people in a taxi or wherever else say that we have to look after our own people first. I always push back against that, but at the same time I always note it, because it has to be noted. It is not enough to just educate people to have the right attitudes; we also need to reassure people that the plans are being put in place. Irish people are generous once they know that there are common-sense plans.