'Treating people as morons, racist or misinformed is no way to generate trust'

Independent TD for Laois Offaly Carol Nolan has strongly criticised what she says are attempts by senior Government figures to dismiss concerns relating to unsustainable levels of inward immigration.

Dep Nolan, who has been outspoken on the issue of immigration, issued a statement after Taoiseach Leo Varadkar set out his views on the state's immigration policies in which she said he described the current policies as ‘firm and tough’ on those who arrive here illegally.

She said this followed remarks by Minister of State Neal Richmond, who said that talk about “documentation being ripped up” by those arriving here is “feeding into misplaced fears. It’s utter rubbish.”

Dep Nolan challenged this in her statement.

She asked: “How are we going to address this issue with any kind of credibility if members of this Government continue to treat the vast majority of people as absolute fools?”

Dep Nolan continued: “They are acting and speaking as if they and they alone are possessed of some form of elite insight on these issues".

The teacher by profession claimed that 7 in 10 people arriving at Dublin Airport claimed asylum while having no passport or identifying documentation despite having boarded the plane while in possession of one in 2023.

“I have been consistently calling for a fact-based and constructive debate since I broke the self-imposed parliamentary omerta on this matter last year during my debate with Minister Darragh O’Brien.

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“Since then, however, government members have pursued with incomprehensible zealotry the quite frankly bizarre policy of telling people that they are essentially either morons, racist or misinformed whenever they raise concerns. What has that lead to except an ever-deepening level of polarisation and an erosion of the ability to generate trust?”

“The fact is that the resources of the state are now thoroughly overwhelmed in terms of the provision of accommodation; a situation that is being exacerbated by thousands of people arriving here annually which shows no sign of slowing down.

“It is beyond incredible that I, and members of the Oireachtas who share my concerns, must plead for honesty and realism from our own Government. The policy of psychological and political manipulation has failed. Everyone can see that it has failed with the exception of Government,” concluded Dep Nolan.

She issued that statement as protests were mounted in Tipperary over the use of Rackett Hall Hotel to house asylum seekers.