Independent Ireland TD under fire for 'fuelling racism' with comments on 'protecting' Irish culture 

'Under no circumstances am I a racist. I'm actually the opposite', Richard O'Donoghue said

When contacted by the 'Irish Examiner,' Independent Ireland TD Richard O'Donoghue doubled down on his comments around Irish people becoming the minority, saying it could happen by 2050. Picture: Stephen Collins/Collins

An Independent Ireland TD has been lambasted for comments that Irish people could become a “minority” in the years ahead, with some describing the comments as a “dog whistle”.

Limerick TD Richard O’Donoghue was speaking in reference to the upcoming presidential election, when asked who Independent Ireland might support as a candidate.

“We want someone who will represent our culture in this country, that it’s not obliterated,” Mr O’Donoghue said.

“We welcome other cultures in here, we do that 100%. But we also want to make sure the Irish culture is recognised and set in stone for the future.”

Pressed on what he meant, Mr O’Donoghue referred to Irish people respecting the cultures of other countries when they travel abroad.

My son and his girlfriend went to Dubai, and the culture out there is that you cannot enter one of their mosques or whatever unless you are covered up...I want us protected the same way as we recognise other people’s culture when we go to their country.

The comments were branded as a “dog whistle” and “untrue” by other opposition TDs, with the Social Democrat’s Jennifer Whitmore rejecting them outright.

“It’s fuelling racism, it’s fuelling misinformation. It’s fuelling a narrative out there that people are coming into this country and are not contributing, which is wrong,” Ms Whitmore said.

Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon described Mr O’Donoghue’s comments as “pathetic”, while Rory Hearne said his comments were “dangerous”.

We’re seeing the real rise of the far right and sowing of division in communities, particularly around the housing issue. These comments have very real impacts in communities.

People Before Profit’s Paul Murphy said it was “dog whistling” by Independent Ireland, saying the comments were inappropriate.

When contacted by the Irish Examiner, Mr O'Donoghue doubled down on his comments around Irish people becoming the minority, saying it could happen by 2050.

He cited comments from then president of DCU Ferdinand von Prondzynski, who made the claim in 2005. Mr von Prondzynski cited unpublished UK-based research at the time, which was not identified.

However, Mr O'Donoghue rejected any assertions by the opposition that he was a racist.

"Under no circumstances am I a racist. I'm actually the opposite," Mr O'Donoghue said.