Immigration and Ireland - MEGATHREAD *Mod Note Added 02/09/25*

Irish Times letters today:

Sir, – As the Dublin-born son of an Irish mother and a Ghanaian father, I found Bertie Ahern’s remarks about “the Africans” both depressing and revealing…

Sir, – Bertie Ahern’s recent remarks were racist, wrong and harmful…

Sir, – Bertie Ahern’s recent remarks on immigration … were disappointing to hear…

Sir, – While not condoning in any way his comments on immigration…

In fairness, the bottom two letters go on to say that Ahern isn’t racist. But establishment Ireland is making it very clear it disapproves of Ahern’s comments.

Simon Harris in the Dail yesterday (I invite you to skim read it):

“While respecting the rules of the House in relation to by-elections, let me absolutely deplore, condemn and abhor any racism directed towards any candidate in this Republic and in this democracy. I want to be very clear in relation to the comments of the former Taoiseach. They weren't appropriate.

They were wrong. It's absolutely perfectly legitimate in this country. In fact, that even goes so far as to say it's essential in this country that we debate migration policy.

No one has an issue with that. It's important we debate it. We might have different views, different perspectives.

That's OK. It's important we debate laws and systems on migration. No one has an issue with that.

The policy of the government has been clear. Anyone who comes to Ireland seeking asylum outside the EU or outside the EEA should be treated humanely, should be treated in accordance with international law. Someone has a right to be here.

Their application should be processed quickly. We've been trying to do our best to ensure faster processing time. But of course, and I think to the point you're making, most people who come to Ireland don't come through the international protection system at all.

They come through a whole variety of other ways, legitimately and legally, to play a positive role in our country. I want to take up the opportunity you've afforded me, what we all do at this house, to recognise a very positive contribution that those people make to Irish society and to the Irish economy. People who come here to work, to study, contributes to our country, makes our country and our republic better and more complete.

Of course, as I say, we can have sensible and rational discussions around migration policy. Every country in the world is having that. That's different.

It's never acceptable to single out an entire group of people based on their race, based on their ethnicity or indeed based on their religion. That only serves to demonise or to stigmatise a group of people. And that's not a helpful contribution.

In fact, it's hurtful. I was struck by the comments of the chief imam of the Islamic Centre of Ireland, Sheikh Dr Umar al-Khadri. And he said the remarks were offensive to all immigrants.

He said it's important to discuss the challenges that this country faces openly. And honestly, that is important in a democracy. We should always be willing to do that.

But we should avoid the kind of rhetoric that would seek to scapegoat an entire community.”

And…breathe.

This kind of argument is so wearyingly typical. Anyone who criticises immigration is attacked not for the substance but for the way in which they said it.

“It's absolutely perfectly legitimate ... No one has an issue with that. It's important we debate it. We might have different views, different perspectives. That's OK. It's important we debate laws and systems on migration. No one has an issue with that.”

No one has an issue?! That’s a bare-faced lie. He knows better than anyone that if you say the mildest of things about immigration, in a measured and respectful way, you will be hounded by the left.

Harris goes on to give the tedious but obligatory pledge of allegiance to the progressive cause, in which the speaker says at length how great immigration has been. I have heard it over and over again, and it is just so tiresome.