Anti-immigrant or racist political rhetoric ‘must not go unchecked’
Chief executive Killian Forde said it seemed politicians were increasingly speaking out about foreign people in Ireland, and expressed concern that Fine Gael councillor Darren Scully has not yet been expelled from the party.
Last November, Mr Scully was forced to resign as mayor of Naas, after saying he would no longer deal with, as he described them, bad-mannered, aggressive, black Africans. The party has not taken any decisive action.
Mr Forde was speaking following comments made by a Monaghan county councillor this week that foreign people who got welfare benefits could “collapse the system”.
Mr Forde labelled the remarks by Seamus Treanor as “inaccurate, ill-informed nonsense”.
“Mr Treanor’s comments are completely fictitious and simply point to his personal anti-immigrant feelings,” he said.
“Statistics show just 17.78% of those on the Live Register are immigrants.
“Since the recession started, 40% of non-Irish nationals lost their jobs, however their share on the Live Register only increased by 3% in this time. This scapegoating behaviour from Cllr Treanor is vile and nasty. He claims he is a republican, but he sounds like a Tory from the Shires.
“Immigrants in Ireland are highly educated –— with 45% having a third-level qualification in comparison to 32% of Irish people.
“They are a major resource and can help Ireland out of the economic recession. Blaming immigrants for the recession as he has done, shows a mammoth incomprehension of Ireland’s economic situation, and ignores the contribution they have made to the Irish economy.
“The councillor should strive to become more educated on the situation before speaking out again.”
Mr Forde pointed out that the habitual residence condition, which is strictly adhered to by social welfare offices throughout the state, means that no payment is made without the applicant proving a connection to the state and an employment history.
He said this included proof of taxes and social insurance.
“It is in fact our experience that many Eastern Europeans have lost out on a payment they would have been entitled to due to the fact they were exploited by employers who were pocketing taxes instead of paying them legitimately.”
