Immigration and Ireland - MEGATHREAD *Mod Note Added 14/08/25*

In the past FF were centre right, and FG were centre left. In their quest to stay in power and win over voters, both parties adopted policies from the left in the hope of attracting voters who were being taken in by the promises of the left, particularly the rise of SF.

As there was no established right wing parties to keep them centred, over time they contuined shifting left, particularly on social issues.

@Goldengirl It seems a lot but it isn't more than and is aimed at keeping them (Ukrainians) out of poverty while continuing their studies during a war in their home country .

How do you know that they are poor? The truth is we have no idea what means these people have but they are all given the same blanket treatment. That's the issue here, the government make you jump through hoops if you apply for state assistance but have seemingly opened the wallets without question to people from Ukraine. It comes across as very unfair.

I'll throw in a few anecdotes;

The Ukrainian cars that I see regularly in my town are new models, if these people are in danger of poverty how are they affording to pay for them, surely the weekly payment from our government wouldn't cover the repayments.

Ah but maybe they've already paid for the cars, well if they can afford those why are they living in state provided modular homes...

Or how about the lady who is here because her country was invaded but has recently returned from a 3 week holiday to Ukraine.

Now to be fair and balanced that same lady works in a local nursing home. Another lady that cut my daughters hair works in a local hairdressers and is from Ukraine and the two teenagers that helped me get some furniture into my car are also Ukrainian.

All that to say that people are people, you'll have some good and some bad and those who will try to take advantage and those who will get stuck in.

But what frustrates most Irish people is how Ukrainian people here have been given supports with no questions asked while at the same time the government has no money for housing or healthcare improvements to name just two.

The world in which the Irish State exists for the benefit of the Irish people, not foreigners?

It says here the monthly stipend for Ukrainian students is NOT means tested

Also:

As regards payments that people get here while "sitting on their xxxx" as one poster put it , it is ..

The rate of the allowance is €38.80 per week for an adult and €29.80 for a child while in Direct Provision .

Ukrainians who have been here since before the change in welfare payments (a year ago maybe?) and are living in ARP accommodation (ie free accommodation) are still on the full dole payment of €244 per week.

These claims wouldn't be legitimate in Denmark where they are putting their people first. Time the Irish government do the same but they put international needs above or equal to Irish needs.

Can you give me an example of a centre left type policy implemented by Fine Gael?

Interesting development over in Epping where the local council have voted to close the Bell Hotel following a march to council HQ led by women and girls from that area, the ones most likely to come to harm from Britain's equally reckless asylum policy but not as easily fobbed off as far right. Food for thought.

At protests here, I've often wondered if there is merit in swapping out the 'Ireland is Full' and 'Get Them Out' etc placards for ones that show and shame the politicians and the profiteers behind this mess. These people all have big egos, perhaps time to put their faces front and centre and hit them where it hurts.

In a similar vein, come next St Patrick's Day, the politicians will be doing their damnedest to rinse more money, PR and 'feels' out of the Irishness they spend the rest of the year destroying. If everyone with concerns about their policies were to hang out an alternative flag, say a black flag or an adapted tricolour, it could also send out a very embarrassing message to the world that would be coming directly from the Irish people rather than a controversial character like McGregor.

Hmmm!!!! it's a conservative led council who, like the rest of us, can clearly see the writing on the wall.
They can see the increasing tension being ginned up by Farage, ReformUK, GB news and other far right elements. The wheels are already in motion for this to become the #FarageRiots2.0 so the council are scared witless.

It has sweet f all to do with ''women and girls/concerned citizens'' marching to the council offices.

We have many many issues relating to immigration in this country.

In no particular order.

The 3rd level education system is totally propped up by foreign students ,who on completion of their studies can repariate family members,this is classic penny wise for pound foolish as when the economic tide turns and the Tech sector move off we will be left with thousands of mostly Asian families to support.

The judicial system in this country have lined their pockets ,defending many spurious claims for Ayslum and taking advantage of the apathy of the Government agents for years.

We like the good Europeans we are went the extra mile and half on Ukraine war ,getting pro rata way more Ukrainians than we should have.

Our political representatives are total flat earthers when it comes to immigration,circumstances have changed,your electorate have changed their views,its like if they all don't represent our views we can't vote them all out,which is true,until you get an Irish Farage,far better to listen to the current view that its out of control and its ok to say we are full.

Reform isn't even far right anymore. And I'm not sure if they ever were. They're centre right in a world that's gone far left.