Mick Clifford: Simon Harris should weigh his words about immigration more carefully

In the social media age we must speak carefully on topics about which a flood of misinformation is already being used to stir up outrage

Immigration is worthy of debate and political comment — but commentators and political leaders must be careful not to play into the hands of bad actors who can inflame and distort such discourse to stoke up anger. Stock picture

Last week, Simon Harris told the media that migration is too high. “There are too many people who come to this country and who are told they do not have a right to be here and it is taking too long for them to be removed,” he said.

This was not offered as a failure of government but a commentary of the system as if Mr Harris was an observer rather than the Tánaiste.