Tánaiste fails to condemn Ahern’s remarks as racist
Tánaiste fails to condemn Ahern’s remarks as racist - The Labour Party
- Withdrawal of comments not enough – Ahern must apologise and clarify that they were false
- Vacuum in leadership on immigration threatens the safety of minorities in Ireland – public information campaign needed to emphasise the positive impacts of immigration on Ireland
Labour Party Leader and TD for Dublin Bay South Ivana Bacik TD has condemned comments made by former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern regarding immigrants and minority communities, describing his remarks as inflammatory, irresponsible and dangerous.
Speaking during Leaders’ Questions in the Dáil, Bacik echoed calls on him to issue a full immediate public apology and retraction, and has said that his comments underscore the need for a fact-based public information campaign on the positive effects of immigration in Ireland.
Deputy Bacik said:
“It is deeply ironic that Bertie Ahern would have the temerity to fuel rhetoric that blames immigrants for systemic problems in Ireland. This is the man whose politics and policies brought about the worst financial crash in the history of the State.
“Since then, migrants have played a pivotal role in rebuilding the economy. All in political leadership should acknowledge that.
“Instead, we hear lazy language and false narratives. Tánaiste Simon Harris himself contributed to this last year when he commented that migration figures are “too high”.
“Today in response to my questions in the Dáil, he failed to condemn the remarks as racist.
“Political leaders and former leaders have a responsibility to lower tensions, not inflame them. Mr Ahern’s assertion that he was merely trying to calm matters at the time when his comments were made is just not good enough. Mr Ahern remains a member of the Council of State; he is more than just a private person, making ignorant remarks.
“We must all have the moral clarity never to capitulate to falsehoods about people when engaging in conversations about immigration. All discourse around migration must be rooted in facts, humanity and respect.
“That is why Labour launched the “Together We Thrive” campaign in March of this year. Upon launching the event, I chaired a roundtable where participants shared first-hand accounts of xenophobic abuse, gaps in protections for migrant worker, and the urgent need for a fair, fact-based national conversation on migration. While all present emphasised that their experience in Ireland is overwhelmingly positive, we cannot ignore those concerns.
“There is a growing vacuum in leadership on migration, and that vacuum is being filled by misinformation. We need a positive, fact-based discussion that reflects reality. People coming from outside of Ireland are valued and loved members of our communities. Every day, people across Ireland, from all backgrounds, make positive contributions to our economy and society. Each of us deserves to go about our business without stigma.
“I would encourage all TDs to look around the Dáil Chamber when discussing this outrageous slur by a former Taoiseach on people of African heritage and descent. Yet, in the Dáil Chamber there is no African voice to testify the hurt that language causes, not one who can talk first hand about the direct experience of racism.
“I hope that this changes after the Galway West by-election with the election of Cllr. Helen Ogbu.”