Emer Currie (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Language is important. If Members want to talk about illegal immigration and the systems in place to protect society from illegal immigration, let us do that. If they want to talk about international protection, a human rights obligation to give shelter to people who are running from persecution, then let us do that. If they want to talk about the critical skills list and the workers we depend on for a functioning health system, the hospitality industry and our IT sector, then let us talk about that as well. Maybe we also need to talk about the people who think it is okay to blame a whole section of our community for the problems in their lives.

I have been in politics my whole life and if you are concerned about school places, medical facilities and Garda resources in your community, you do you not burn buildings down. We need to call it out for what it is. It is racism and xenophobic behaviour. Let us remember that we can see the faces of the people who work in our hospitals, nursing homes and crèches and they are now subject to unacceptable slurs in public. We cannot see the cowards who hide behind keyboards and phones and come out with pitchforks at night.

The second issue I will raise is BusConnects and the dire need for an airport link in the wider Blanchardstown area, which has a population of 100,000. It is one of the most populous, diverse and business oriented areas, yet has no direct link to the airport. It was great to hear the news last year that the N8 route would be introduced from Blanchardstown shopping centre to the airport in 2024. I have now found out that has been pushed to quarter 4 of 2025 because of funding and resources. We have not had the Minister for Transport in the House for a while. Can we please bring him in because we need to talk about the delivery of essential services?