Sinn Féin ‘probably wasn’t vocal enough’ on migration, says TD

Matt Carthy says there has been confusion about the party’s position on migration, due to political opponents having 'misconstrued' its policies

Cavan-Monaghan TD Matt Carthy said Sinn Féin is 'for managed migration'. Picture: Liam McBurney/PA

Sinn Féin “probably wasn’t vocal enough” about concerns raised by the public regarding the international protection system, the party’s justice spokesperson has said.

Matt Carthy told a Sinn Féin event at the National Ploughing Championships that there has been confusion about the party’s position on migration, due to political opponents having “misconstrued” its policies.

“It’s true to say that at some points, Sinn Féin probably wasn’t vocal enough in addressing the concerns that many people would have within our communities, particularly in relation to Government management of the IPAS system and the international protection system,” said Mr Carthy.

“To be clear, Sinn Féin is for managed migration, and that is critically important.”

Mr Carthy said communities have to be part of decision-making around issues such as IPAS accommodation in their localities, while describing the current system as “shambolic”.

He also criticised companies taking on contracts for IPAS accommodation, saying individuals have been made “millionaires and multi-millionaires” through the system.

On the ongoing temporary protection directive for Ukrainians, Mr Carthy said it should be ended and replaced with a more “permanent, structured approach” to deal with refugees fleeing the war.

He said the Government should discontinue the Ukrainian accommodation recognition payment, which is paid out to individuals who host individuals fleeing the war in Ukraine.

The payment itself was cut by €200 to €600 per month earlier this year, but it is set to remain in place until the end of March 2026, when the temporary protection directive is due to expire.

Mr Carthy said this leads to tensions and “anger” within communities, due to the ongoing housing crisis.

The Cavan-Monaghan TD also raised concerns about work permits and student visas.

“You can’t make decisions in terms of the numbers of people who are receiving work permits or student visas without actually bearing in mind that there is an underlying crisis in our society, which is the housing crisis,” said Mr Carthy.

“The difficulty with all of that is the Government hasn’t planned for any of that.”

Mr Carthy said the party’s position is in the place where “the majority of Irish people are”.

“We’re not racist, we won’t tolerate racism, but we know that for anything to work effectively, it has to be planned, it has to be managed, and it has to be based on common sense,” said Mr Carthy.