Tipperary TD calls for 'rebalancing immigration policy' in light of 'anger' in rural areas

Tipperary TD Michael Lowry has said that he believes it is time to modify and rebalance our immigration policy.

Speaking in the Dáil this week, he told Taoiseach Leo Varadkar that he had recently in the Dáil addressed him in relation to the "resentment that was simmering in towns and villages across Ireland".

This genuine and heartfelt anger was not coming from organised groups such as we witnessed in Dublin last week, it was coming from ordinary people, said Deputy Lowry.

"People are filled with pent-up worry, fear and frustration at how their communities have changed due to the influx of International Protection Applicants. It has reached a stage where people fear the Department will target every vacant building in their communities," he said.

"Irish people are not racist. I am not racist. People welcomed the victims of the war in Ukraine with open arms. They have willingly opened their hearts to those in need.

"The events that took place on the streets of our capital city will haunt peoples’ memories for many years to come. A knife attack on innocent children is the most despicable form of violence. People are sickened by what took place outside that school. It has rattled them to their very core. Above all people need to know that their children are safe. They need to know that the streets in their cities, towns and villages are safe," said the Independent TD.

"However, those who swept through the city streets last week were not seeking justice for this horrendous incident, they had been waiting in the wings for an excuse to riot. They were ready for an opportunity to take the law into their own hands. People in every corner of the country robustly and justifiably condemn the scenes of vicious hostility and opportunistic pillaging they witnessed," he stated.

"The events of have taught us about the role of our gardai in society and the urgent necessity to focus on their limitations. The images of rank and file gardai entering last week’s volatile eruption were frightening. Our gardai were brave and courageous in the face of hostility.

"The Garda Commissioner's comments though, I believe, sum up the situation and I quote: ‘We responded as the events unfolded.' I believe that this approach and response was an abject failure of management and policing policy. It was a humiliating operational failure," he said.

"It has been obvious for some time that the policy of Garda management in standing back with a ‘softly softly’ approach doesn’t work. Reluctance to confront protestors and a passive approach emboldens the perpetrators. It long past the time when we need to take the gloves off with these hooligans.

"The Gardai are under more surveillance than the criminals themselves. The level of bureaucracy and procedure, with the excessive focus on discipline, has left our Force in fear to act. The spontaneity, decisiveness and discretion of Garda members is suppressed.

"Garda members will tell you themselves that they are paralysed with the threat of investigation, suspension or sanction. Our Garda Force is under enormous pressure. Every member of this House has a responsibility to ensure that we provide the necessary resources, equipment and technology that they urgently need and deserve," concluded Deputy Lowry.

The Taoiseach responded by saying: "It is important to note that people who come to Ireland to seek International Protection are not necessarily here illegally. Under our laws people can seek International Protection in Ireland and their status only becomes illegal when their application has been refused and a deportation order issued. I think it's important that people don’t conflate those seeking International Protection with those who are here illegally."