Sharon Keogan: Condemns open border policy after mass Dublin rally
Sharon Keogan addressed the Dáil on migration, focusing on a national rally in Dublin and criticising the government's open border policy. She described the policy as 'suicidal', cited an estimated 20,000-strong march, and said the issue is dominating public conversation while remaining unspoken in the chamber.
Rally and public concern
She referred to a "gigantic national rally" that took place last Saturday, saying up to 20,000 people marched through Dublin to oppose the government's open border policy. Keogan said the topic of migration is what people are talking about outside the chamber - in bars, taxis and on the streets - yet it receives no attention on the Dáil benches.
Parliamentary remarks
She began her remarks by thanking "Cierlach", associating herself with the "Oats of Sympathy to Pope Francis", and welcoming the one-minute silent prayer at the end of the session. Keogan criticised the lack of discussion in the house and warned that silence in the chamber does not reflect public concern.
Media and NGO response
She accused RTE of largely ignoring the issue and said that when the broadcaster did cover events it focused on the counter-protest organised by taxpayers-funded NGOs. Keogan said those NGOs tell Irish taxpayers that any problems with mass uncontrolled migration are imagined.
Opposition response and warnings
Keogan criticised parts of the opposition for joining the outnumbered counter-protest and for carrying banners stating "we are having a housing crisis, not an immigration crisis." She argued it is delusional to separate the immigration crisis from the housing, law and order and healthcare crises, warned that politicians and elites are prone to delusions, and said the numbers of concerned people will only keep growing.
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Thank you, Cierlach, and I want to be associated with the Oats of Sympathy to Pope Francis, and I welcome the one-minute silent prayer at the end of this session. So, Leader, outside of this chamber there's a rising issue that is dominating Irish society. Inside this chamber we hear nothing about it. Out there in the bars, in the taxis and on the streets, it's all people are talking about. Yet in here, on the benches of the Siannod or the Dáil, we hear absolutely nothing. The issue is, of course, migration. And I speak of the gigantic national rally that took place last Saturday, where up to 20,000 people marched through Dublin to oppose the government's suicidal open border policy. Despite the numbers, we have still heard nothing about it. I have warned previously that if we in these houses do not address immigration, others will. However, our ruling parties still seem intent on ignoring it, hoping it goes away. RTE have followed this approach, perhaps the only area in which they seem to have a good relationship with their government founders at the moment. When RTE did pay attention, they focused on the counter-protest, which was organised by the taxpayers-funded NGOs, who tell Irish taxpayers that any problems they may have with mass uncontrolled migration are only imagined. The opposition have not proved much better. In fact, many of them threw their lot in with the vastly outnumbered counter-protesters. They waved banners saying, we are having a housing crisis, not an immigration crisis. It is simply delusional to think that you can separate the immigration crisis from the housing crisis, or from the law and order crisis, the healthcare crisis, the immigration crisis, and so many others. Politicians and elites are prone to delusions. But luckily, the Irish people are not. You can keep ignoring them, but their numbers will only keep growing. Thank you.
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