Ireland is fortunate that far right politics have made little progress with the electorate, unlike so many other countries.
When Independent TD Noel Grealish said that Africans arriving into Ireland were economic migrants “sponging off the system”, he was widely condemned for that remark. see https://www.irishtimes.com/news/cri...ge-calls-for-hate-crime-legislation-1.4051632
And rightly so in my opinion.
For some weeks Mr Grealish made no further comments and avoided all media interviews.
Then this
During Leaders’ Questions in the Dáil on Tuesday the Galway West TD said a “staggering” amount of money had been transferred with the largest amounts going to Lithuania (€843 million), France (€1 billion), Poland (€1.54 billion), UK (€2.7 billion) and Nigeria (€3.54 billion). see https://www.irishtimes.com/news/pol...ions-in-remittances-sent-to-nigeria-1.4080735
This is an entirely different matter, rather than calling people names, he has produced factual information which on the face of it at least calls for further scrutiny.
The righteous left called him every name under the sun and accused him of racism, Miriam Lord mounted her high horse, academics appeared on morning ireland to complain of racism.
To my mind nothing will promote a far right politics in Ireland faster than name calling people who try to raise topics for discussion.
Either the level of remittances to Nigeria are hugely out of proportion to the Nigerian population and so a valid cause for further questioning, or perhaps they are not. Either way shutting down the question with name calling is a disaster.
Dr Ebun Joseph, a lecturer in black studies in UCD, said Mr Grealish was effectively saying that “black money” should be policed differently (On Morning Ireland). No, large scale unexplained flows of money should be investigated irrespective of the countries involved.
Then this morning Paschal Donoghue to the rescue. Galway TD said €3.5bn sent to country in five years but Donohoe says CSO figure is €17m a year.
This is how to deal with valid questions which have racial undertones, addressing them, not avoiding them, providing factual information not tut tutting.
If those who would like to see a far right politics develop in this country succeed, it will be with the IT and RTE fanning the flames. We have a lot to be grateful for in Fine Gael politics this morning.
When Independent TD Noel Grealish said that Africans arriving into Ireland were economic migrants “sponging off the system”, he was widely condemned for that remark. see https://www.irishtimes.com/news/cri...ge-calls-for-hate-crime-legislation-1.4051632
And rightly so in my opinion.
For some weeks Mr Grealish made no further comments and avoided all media interviews.
Then this
During Leaders’ Questions in the Dáil on Tuesday the Galway West TD said a “staggering” amount of money had been transferred with the largest amounts going to Lithuania (€843 million), France (€1 billion), Poland (€1.54 billion), UK (€2.7 billion) and Nigeria (€3.54 billion). see https://www.irishtimes.com/news/pol...ions-in-remittances-sent-to-nigeria-1.4080735
This is an entirely different matter, rather than calling people names, he has produced factual information which on the face of it at least calls for further scrutiny.
The righteous left called him every name under the sun and accused him of racism, Miriam Lord mounted her high horse, academics appeared on morning ireland to complain of racism.
To my mind nothing will promote a far right politics in Ireland faster than name calling people who try to raise topics for discussion.
Either the level of remittances to Nigeria are hugely out of proportion to the Nigerian population and so a valid cause for further questioning, or perhaps they are not. Either way shutting down the question with name calling is a disaster.
Dr Ebun Joseph, a lecturer in black studies in UCD, said Mr Grealish was effectively saying that “black money” should be policed differently (On Morning Ireland). No, large scale unexplained flows of money should be investigated irrespective of the countries involved.
Then this morning Paschal Donoghue to the rescue. Galway TD said €3.5bn sent to country in five years but Donohoe says CSO figure is €17m a year.
This is how to deal with valid questions which have racial undertones, addressing them, not avoiding them, providing factual information not tut tutting.
If those who would like to see a far right politics develop in this country succeed, it will be with the IT and RTE fanning the flames. We have a lot to be grateful for in Fine Gael politics this morning.