Danny Healy-Rae Questions 1.2 Billion Asylum Spend
Danny Healy-Rae raised concerns about government expenditure of 1.2 billion on asylum seekers and refugees, urging the minister to explain its sustainability. He warned that public services are under severe strain and that taxpayers are being taxed "to the hilt", saying the issue must be addressed.
He questioned whether the government can continue paying 1.2 billion for asylum seekers or refugees, adding the caveat "or whatever they are in this country" as he sought clarity on the ongoing cost.
He said the country is "under savage pressure for services in every regard," arguing the scale of demand on public services is unsustainable and must be confronted.
He highlighted the impact on ordinary taxpayers, noting people working "out in the morning, late at night" who he said are being taxed "to the hilt" while public spending rises.
He directly asked the minister to address how long the country can "stand up to this," calling the matter "a serious problem" and urging a response before pressures affect "our own people".
He warned that without action the strain on services and the tax burden could have adverse effects on the domestic population, and he concluded by yielding the remainder of his time.
Spending questioned
He questioned whether the government can continue paying 1.2 billion for asylum seekers or refugees, adding the caveat "or whatever they are in this country" as he sought clarity on the ongoing cost.
Pressure on public services
He said the country is "under savage pressure for services in every regard," arguing the scale of demand on public services is unsustainable and must be confronted.
Taxpayer burden
He highlighted the impact on ordinary taxpayers, noting people working "out in the morning, late at night" who he said are being taxed "to the hilt" while public spending rises.
Call to the minister
He directly asked the minister to address how long the country can "stand up to this," calling the matter "a serious problem" and urging a response before pressures affect "our own people".
Potential consequences
He warned that without action the strain on services and the tax burden could have adverse effects on the domestic population, and he concluded by yielding the remainder of his time.
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Transcript
All right. Just look, I haven't raised a couple of times in the last couple of weeks, Minister, is how do we, do we think as a government that we can keep paying 1.2 billion for asylum seekers or refugees or whatever they are in this country? I mean, we're under savage pressure for services in every regard. And I'm asking that question. How long do you think the country can stand up to this? There's taxpayers out in the morning, late at night, working and trying to survive and they're taxed to the hilt. And that's the question I'm asking. And I hope that someone will address it for me because it is a serious problem. And we need to come to grips with it because we will see after our own people too. So thank you. I'll leave the rest of the time to.