Higgins warns of xenophobia and global warming

We are witnessing the return of an “ugly, xenophobic corruption of nationalism” President Michael D Higgins has warned.

Speaking at a special event in Dublin’s Mansion House to mark 100 years since the first Dáil, Mr Higgins gave a wide-ranging speech which included a criticism of our handling of the migrant crisis and global warming.

The joint-sitting of Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann was attended by direct descendants of the first members of the Dáil, past and present Taoisigh, leaders of the various political parties, ambassadors as well as TDs, senators and members of the legislative assembly.

Mr Higgins warned those seated in the Round Room that climate change is now posing such grave challenges that we must immediately act and also hit out at the fact that refugees and migrants fleeing persecution are being “openly disdained”.

Though just 27 elected members attended the first Dáil — 34 were in prison and some didn’t take up their seats — it marked a crucial step in the aspiration for independence.

Members claimed the right of Ireland to self-government and adopted a constitution.

Reflecting on the ideals which were invoked by those elected to the first Dáil, Mr Higgins said the first Dáil was “a reflection of a global movement for national self-determination, one that had united peoples from India to Vietnam, from Poland to Algeria”.

He said that when the first Dáil met in the aftermath of the catastrophe of the First World War they issued a “revolutionary” message to to other nations which stressed the need for “frank co-operation between the peoples” and for “equal rights”.

"The destiny of our country, the fate of our Irish revolution, now lies in the hands of this generation of Irishwomen and Irishmen. It falls to us, the Irish people, to forge a renewed vision of Irish freedom in the world today."#Dáil100 https://t.co/rAR7g5JOOy pic.twitter.com/Bzu1ZLU9lo

— President of Ireland (@PresidentIRL) January 21, 2019

Mr Higgins said:

“For us today the words should be a testament to our foundational and enduring commitment to a just and peaceful world order."

“Today, across the world, we are witnessing the return of an ugly, xenophobic corruption of nationalism, long since thought vanquished from our political life.

“The duty to welcome and shelter those fleeing war, persecution, and famine, so often relied upon by Irish men and women throughout the ages, is now being openly disdained, even discarded, by elements in our European Union.

"True nationalism addresses need, not only as part of a nation, but as part of an international family of nations,” he said.

Regarding global warming and increasing carbon emissions, the president said:

“In this century, our planet and our people face new dangers undreamed of by our forebears: the disastrous loss of natural habitats and species both here and across our shared and vulnerable planet; and the potentially catastrophic effects of climate change present the Ireland of today with stark challenges.

"Challenges that cannot wait to be addressed.”

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar told the event the commemoration was an opportunity to recall the past and look to the future.

He admitted the State has fallen short on the declaration made by the first Dáil that the the primary duty of the Government will be to ensure “no child shall suffer hunger or cold from lack of food, clothing, or shelter, but that all shall be provided with the means and facilities requisite for their proper education and training”.

He said this declaration reminds us of our responsibilities to children.

“Industrial schools, illegal adoptions, and mother and baby homes were a betrayal of those ideals.

"Although today the rate of child poverty in Ireland is only a fraction of what it was 100 years ago, and is falling, we must do better,” Mr Varadkar said.

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin said we are now facing a new challenge in Brexit:

“At this critical moment in our history the challenges are daunting but they are clear.

"We need to show a level of urgency and commitment which has too often been lacking.

"We don’t just need to get through Brexit, we need to define and shape a new agenda for this island, for these islands and for our place in a renewed Europe.”

Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald said “the Ireland of today is not the Ireland promised in the 1916 Proclamation.

"This is not the Dáil of the Democratic Programme”.

She said there is now an “opportunity to build a new and united Ireland” and called on the Government to convene an all-Ireland forum to build for unity.