Government rhetoric fuelling anti-immigrant sentiment

Labour Leader Ivana Bacik TD has called on Government to take immediate steps to protect people living in refugee and asylum accommodation, following the arson attack on an IPAS centre in Drogheda last Friday.

Speaking at Leaders’ Questions in the Dáil today, Deputy Bacik said that this Government has failed to ensure the safety of people who seek protection in Ireland and has leant into anti migrant rhetoric. Yet in response, Minister Chambers failed to give any credible plan for protecting vulnerable people in the days and weeks ahead.

Deputy Bacik said:

“Parents and young children who came here seeking protection were forced out of their home by a hideous arson attack. Two babies ended up in hospital. This awful violence and endangerment of life is appalling and must be condemned outright. People in IPAS accommodation deserve safety and dignity.

“Unfortunately, irresponsible rhetoric by members of Government can contribute to the growth of anti-migrant sentiment. Regrettably we have seen such rhetoric deployed in recent days. I was shocked to see that the Tánaiste said that in his view too many immigrants are arriving to Ireland, and implied that people facing deportation represent a significant share of inward migration. Fine Gael colleagues repeated these misleading comments. The Taoiseach also backed them. However, this disinformation feeds into a growth in hostility to our new communities.

“We have more than 300 IPAS and Ukraine accommodation centres across Ireland. They are people’s homes. Yet residents continue to face threats and violence. In my own constituency, volunteers are supporting men who have been attacked with knives while sleeping in tents because Government failed to house them. We need a full security review of all centres before the second anniversary of the Dublin riots. This is urgently required to ensure the safety of all residents.

“When I raised these issues today, the response from Minister Chambers was disappointing. I am now calling on him and on the Government to implement the two immediate actions that we in Labour have sought.

“First, they must urgently carry out a security audit and safety plan for all IPAS and Ukraine accommodation centres. Second, they must roll out a national public information campaign that sets out the facts about migration and that highlights the positive benefits of inward migration for our economy and our society.”