Ireland at ‘tipping point’ on response to citizenship issues, Taoiseach warns

The tricolours have been erected by various groups as an expression of pride in national identity but have been criticised by others who believe the tricolour is being used to intimidate people of a migrant background. File picture: Colin Keegan, Collins, Dublin

Ireland is at a "tipping point" on how it responds to issues around citizenship and national identity, the Taoiseach has warned.

Micheál Martin's comments come after Dublin City Council said it wanted to meet gardaí over the erection of Irish tricolour flags in public spaces across the city, following concerns raised by some residents.

The tricolours have been erected by various groups as an expression of pride in national identity but have been criticised by others who believe the tricolour is being used to intimidate people of a migrant background.

Similar disputes have been seen across Britain.

Mr Martin said the "Irishness" of citizens should not be questioned due to their backgrounds or origins.

"I heard some people recently sort of defending what's going on now and somehow if you have a problem with the national flag on the flagpole, then 'you should maybe leave the country, there's something wrong with you, you're not Irish' or something like that.

That's not right. That kind of comment is out of order and we shouldn't be trying... to question people's citizenship or their Irishness because of their origins, perhaps, or the colour of their skin.

Mr Martin said society has to "stand up" to that kind of rhetoric.

"Watching what's happening in the UK, I don't like it," he said. "We, so far, have resisted a lot of what has transpired in other societies.

"We are at a tipping point in Ireland - I'm concerned about it and I think this has to be resisted.

"We should do it an intelligent way. We have to affirm the citizenship of all our citizens, and continue to do what a lot of people do over the world."

He said a lot of people are making noise and the "vast, vast majority" understand what's the best of us and also understand the important contribution that people from different nationalities have made to our society over the last number of decades.

"We have to defend what I think have been fundamental values within our society for a long, long time," he added

Tánaiste Simon Harris said the far right would not be allowed to "hijack" the "valued national flag". Mr Harris said he "would like to see more tricolours" but added there were rules around flying the flags correctly.

He said:

The tricolour should never be hijacked or used to represent something that is against what this republic stands for. 

"There's very clear rules around how you properly, respectfully hang our flag.

"We should see more flags, I welcome more flags - we made a lot of progress during the time we were commemorating centenaries."

The Fine Gael leader added: "We're very proud of our flag but we saw our flag hijacked by one group for many years - we're sure as hell not going to allow the far right now to hijack our flag."