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TAOISEACH LEO VARADKAR has said that scenes of some protests in recent weeks “aren’t acceptable” and “is not the Irish way”.
Speaking to reporters outside Government Buildings today, Varadkar said he is “very concerned” about the rise of the far-right and the rise of racism in Ireland.
“Refugees are welcome here. It’s important that we have robust systems in place to make sure that we welcome those who are genuinely fleeing war and oppression, and return those who are not. I want people to be assured that that is what we will do,” he said.
The Taoiseach went on to condemn some of the demonstrations that have taken place in recent days:
“Irish people understand migration, all of our families have been shaped by it. And we’ve been welcomed all around the world. And in some parts of the world, we’ve been mistreated. As a country, we should know better.
“The scenes that we’ve seen in recent days, in recent weeks, really must be condemned. It’s not the Irish way of doing things. It’s not in accordance with our history and culture.”
He said many of the protests are taking place outside buildings which are housing vulnerable people and children.
Where there has been violence or any breach of the law, the gardaí will deal with it, he added.
“We want to make sure that protests don’t occur outside people’s homes. There are places where people can protest,” said Varadkar.
His comments come as Minister of State for Integration Joe O’Brien said the State is currently facing a “pinch-point” over the lack of accommodation and that all Government departments need to work together to provide support.
On the issue of protests, O’Brien said that there needed to be a distinction between people who have “legitimate questions” and those who are “engaging in intimidatory tactics”.
He said that he was worried about the situation but that Gardaí were currently monitoring the situation and they had taken actions in recent days.
However, he did say that the majority understood that Ireland has international obligations to people seeking asylum.
Concerns about protests were also raised at the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party meeting last night, with members also raising concerns about the system’s ability to cope.
Sources state that there was no mention of a cap on the number of refugees coming into the country, with concerns instead centering around misinformation being spread in their areas, but also the lack of communication from the Department of Integration.
The issue of pressure on resources within some communities, such as schools and GP services, was also highlighted, with some politicians critical of the department’s handling of the crisis.
Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon has called for a cross-party committee to deal with integration and misinformation. “We can’t keep acting like we’re surprised by the nature of these protests,” he said, stating that it is about getting out in front of the issues.
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First they can’t use the blue lights and sirens, now they can’t use the boats, what next ? The people at the upper escellons of the Coast Guard and the Dept. of Transport need to cop on and properly resource and train what is a front-line emergency service.
@Jonathan McCoy: escellons? bawahaha
@SF Knee Knockers: bawahaha? Bwahaha!
@Jonathan McCoy: maybe it’s a manufacturer fault rather than blaming the government for everything?
@Paul Furey: I’ll make any sound I like, thank you very much.
@Jonathan McCoy: echelons.
@Jonathan McCoy: ah Jonathan you know it’s Ireland “Nero fiddled while Rome burned” need I say more.
@SF Knee Knockers: Woop, woop, its the sound of the (vocabulary) police
Have huge respect for the Coast Guard, hope this is resolved soon
@Martin Harte: I genuinely don’t see why it’s such drastic action. They could have a few of these to each station in the morning and if the rest were needed on anger they are also manual inflate if needed. If in the low possibility they fail. Why do the government dept make a drama out of every tiny thing this happens lots and probably never mention LSE that’s beyond inspection. Total scaremongering.
Not good for this to happen ! They are need 365 …24hrs
@Galwaygogo: they are absolutely justified, what use is a faulty life jacket to a rescuer. Hopefully it’s something that can be quickly fixed. And fair play to them for publicising the issue.
Massive respect for the coast guard. Always
This is shocking. Non functioning life jackets puts volunteers at serious risk. Non functioning coast guard service puts the public at risk. This needs fixing by coast guard management immediately.
@Dermot Mc Brierty: The public should also refrain from going out in boats etc. during bad weather. Putting themselves and Coast Guard members at risk if something goes wrong. Some people are very selfish when taking unnecessary risks.
@Philomena Stack: especially during storms people do r€tarded sh!t
@Philomena Stack: true, but sometimes things go wrong at sea. Either way, coast guard will come to their aid.
@Dermot Mc Brierty: the RNLI and Naval Service are still available to provide aid at sea. The issue is the coast guard boats are river and close into the coastline, I’m not sure if the RNLI and navy can fill the gap now left by the necessary decision to suspend coast guard boats
Ah, go on lads…. Give us a clue what locations they are being withdrawn from.
@Dave Farrington: that would be all of them
@Dermot Mc Brierty: They changed the headline from 23 to all
@Dave Farrington:
Headline changed and story updated since 1st post. Another fine example of lazy journalism by The Journal putting out part of a story then updating it hours later.
Could we have the make and model number of the faulty life jacket. Many other boat users could also be using the same lifejacket unaware of the possible danger.
@Jimmy Brandon:
I would guess that these life jackets would probably be top notch for every other person who works at the sea, but, this being an agency with civil servant input, their gear would have to be of the standard above that of the astronauts who space walk. I see it all the time. Why can’t they just go to their nearest marine supply store and buy some new ones for gods sake.
Hopefully resolved soon! A vital service to our County!!
@Derek O’ Meara.: what about the other counties?
@Vocal Outrage: think the landlocked ones are probably safe enough!
Hopefully no loss of life while this is being resolved. Massive respect for the members of the CG. Heroes, one and all.
Can they go down to the local army shop and buy some new ones?
@HonDeDeise: If that’s meant to be funny it’s not ! People’s lives are at risk . Nothing funny about that
@HonDeDeise: Too high a chance that they’ll go deaf as well…
Could someone explain the difference between the coastguard and the RNLI please. Would an area have either one or the other? Do they perform different roles?
@Squiddley Diddley: RNLI is a charity organization, coast guard are government agency. Coast guard have some boats, cliff rescue climbers, 4 helicopters, search and rescue teams etc. RNLI have boats (some all weather, capable of much rougher seas than CG ribs). RNLI are a resource available to coast guard marine rescue coordination centers. That’s the basics
@Squiddley Diddley: Coastguard is Government and RNLI is not. That’s why the Coastguard gear is dodgy but RNLI’s is not.
Thanks Lads.
i never believed in inflation pfds. quite tricky to don and deploy correctly at best of times. Always use an old fashioned thick foam jacket, dorky and sweaty but totally reliable.
@Dan Clabby: and some people don’t believe the world is round, but there you go. Anyone who actually works professionally at sea or has any respect for it knows the importance and convenience of PFDs over your Titanic-esque think foam jacket that would just get in the way
@Dan Clabby:
T
@Dan Clabby:
They have a shelf life after which they lose their buoyancy, and they can also lose buoyancy after a certain period in the water. Old fashioned isn’t always best.
So was someone cutting some serious safety corners when buying those lifejackets or were they just asleep at the helm?
The country FUKushimaED
Irish Coastguards great brave people badly managed by a bunch of incompetent highly paid buffoons.
The jackets are not suitable for carrying their guns.
have your say