Bertie Ahern migration comments ’caused hurt and harm’, Tánaiste says

Simon Harris said he 'deplores' any abuse suffered by any candidate and that Mr Ahern's comments were 'not appropriate'

Taoiseach Micheal Martin (right) speaks to former taoiseach Bertie Ahern. Picture: Niall Carson/PA Wire

It is “never acceptable” to make comments on migration about a group of people based on their race, ethnicity or religion, the Tánaiste has said.

Simon Harris was reacting to comments about Africans and Muslims made by former taoiseach Bertie Ahern which were circulated in a social media video.

Mr Ahern expressed “worry” about the next generation of Muslim people growing up in Ireland, and also said “we can’t be taking in people from the Congo”.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Mr Harris said: “It’s perfectly legitimate in any country to debate, migration migration policy – people will have different views, that’s fine.

“But what’s never acceptable to do, is to comment the base an entire group of people based on their race, their ethnicity, or their religion.

“That’s not a helpful contribution to a migration device. It’s also hurtful to people.” 

Mr Harris said there was need to be “very careful in terms of grouping people based on nationality, or religion”.

He added: “I know Bertie Ahern, I have much respect for him – I doubt he meant any hurt or harm but I think objectively the comments did cause that and I’m sure he’ll reflect on that too.” 

Fianna Fáil deputy leader Jack Chambers said Mr Ahern’s comments were “totally wrong and inappropriate”.

He told reporters: “He certainly wasn’t reflecting my party’s value of people who’ve come to Ireland, and the contribution they make across our public services and across our economy.” 

He added there was a difference between Fianna Fáil’s approach for a “fair, efficient and firm migration system” and “categorising” groups of people.

The social media video showing Mr Ahern discussing immigration has circulated in recent days.

He had been canvassing for the party’s Dublin Central by-election candidate Councillor John Stephens.

The video shows a constituent criticising Fianna Fail and other parties over immigration.

At one point Mr Ahern, who has said the minutes-long video was recorded without his knowledge, comments that he thinks there “are too many coming in” and “the ones I’m worried about is the Africans”, adding: “We can’t be taking in people from the Congo and those places.” 

He says he has “no problem with the Ukrainians”.

In response to a question from the constituent on Muslims, he says: “I don’t worry about this generation of Muslims, the next generation – the kids are growing up – that’s where I think the problem will be.” 

Asked on Wednesday if the views expressed match those of Fianna Fáil and Mr Stephens, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said: “They’re not – I think it’s unfair to extrapolate that and to suggest that.” 

Mr Martin added: “As far as we are concerned, I think it’s not appropriate, in my view, to sort of be specific about any given ethnicity.

“That’s not, in my view, correct or proper. I think we have to respect people.

“We have many different ethnicities in Ireland, many Irish citizens with different ethnic backgrounds, and that has to be respected.” 

Mr Ahern has said he supports the views of Fianna Fáil’s Jim O’Callaghan, the justice minister, on immigration and that the asylum process should be quicker.

He also said he has “no problem” with people who come through visa and asylum systems.

Comments 'deeply disturbing'

Speaking in the Dáil on Thursday, Labour leader Ivana Bacik called the comments "deeply disturbing" and said that it came on the back of a candidate in the same by-election, Gerry Hutch, calling for internment of Somalian migrants.

"Particularly alarming was the way in which he singled out specific ethnic, religious, and national identity," Ms Bacik said of Mr Ahern's comments.

"More than being just offensive and irresponsible, this language was dangerous and inflammatory for a politician who devoted so much of his career to finding a resolution to the Troubles, a conflict based in religious division.

"It's shameful to hear him refer to a child's religion, Islam, when he says he's worried about the next generation of Muslims."

Ms Bacik said it was "profoundly wrong to use language which could direct public anger towards migrants and minorities.

"We've already seen a candidate in that constituency make an outrageous call for internment of refugees, and in the other by-election, in Galway West, a torrent of despicable online racist abuse has been directed at our Labor candidate, councillor Helen Ogbu."

Ms Bacik said that wider government migration policy is "failing the people whose work is building our community".