The Taoiseach has dismissed the “negativity” expressed by those who addressed a large protest in Dublin over the weekend, reports Breaking News.
Thousands attended an anti-immigration rally in Dublin city centre on Saturday.
There was a noticeable police presence in the capital for both the protest and counter-protest, which caused disruptions on several major city roads, reports Breaking News.
Public order teams, mounted police, and a helicopter were deployed to manage the two gatherings.
Gardaí reported no serious incidents, although three individuals were arrested for public order violations.
Composed of a range of different groups, the main protest was largely directed against the current Irish Government and its immigration and housing policies, reports Breaking News.
The demonstration was also timed to coincide with the anniversary of the 1916 Easter Rising – 109 years after the historic rebellion against British rule.
On Sunday, the Taoiseach participated in Fianna Fáil’s annual commemoration of the Rising at Arbour Hill Cemetery.
When asked by reporters about protesters referencing the 1916 leaders, Micheál Martin responded: “The message of the 1916 proclamation is an inclusive, internationalist vision, not one that is narrow. It never had at its core a narrow nationalism. It was very internationalist. It was inclusive, it was open. And that’s the spirit which Fianna Fáil will be continuing – and that’s a very important point,” reports Breaking News.
“We don’t believe in a narrow nationalism, and we are part of modern European society, members of the European Union since the early 1970s and that’s brought great transformation to the country,” reports Breaking News.
“We have a thriving economy in Ireland, and I would be very cautious about those who are advocating – those yesterday and some who would advocate – policies that in my view would be detrimental to the future of the country and of our people,” reports Breaking News.
When questioned if the large turnout was a concern, Mr Martin said: “We just had a general election, we’ve had a local election before that.
“And I think the ballot box is the key determinant of the organisation of society who gets elected into Government, who gets elected to local councils – and I think it has to be based on ideas and policies,” reports Breaking News.
“We believe we have a stronger set of ideas than perhaps those who articulated yesterday.”
Asked about claims that the Government was failing on housing, Mr Martin said he “did not accept the negativity” expressed by speakers at the protest, reports Breaking News.
The Taoiseach acknowledged that housing continues to be the “big social issue” in Ireland but said the Government remains focused on “solutions rather than rhetoric”.
He pointed out that in the past five years, the spending on social housing “has been way, way in excess of anything built in the previous two or three decades – but we need to build more.”
He further stated: “But I think this Government has come through and the previous Government came through some very serious challenges, from Covid-19 to the war in Ukraine to the inflationary crisis that was caused by that, through Brexit, and has positioned the Irish economic model well. I don’t accept the negativity from those who spoke yesterday in respect of where modern Ireland is today. The level of opportunity in modern Ireland today, again, is far in excess of anything previous generations experienced,” reports Breaking News.
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