Tánaiste Simon Harris has said there is “a limit” to what Ireland can do for immigrants, adding that some people are attempting to “shut down debate” on the issue.
Mr Harris pointed to recent data from the Economic and Social Research Institute which shows Ireland’s population is increasing “way faster than baseline projections,” reports Breaking News.
The Fine Gael leader said that this rapid growth is putting pressure on housing and public services.
Speaking to reporters ahead of Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting, he said: “The conversation about migration isn’t just about international protection, it’s about our population growth in general,” reports Breaking News.
He continued: “Roughly speaking, for every 10,000 people come into our country, around 3,000 more homes are needed. So let’s actually have a rational, calm informed debate that doesn’t seek to label people, shout them down and box them into certain positions. This is not left or right, this is about having a commonsense, evidence-based policy.”
His comments followed a Government decision to reduce the length of time Ukrainian refugees can remain in State accommodation from 90 days to 30.
Mr Harris said there had been a notable increase in arrivals from Ukraine, partly due to a change in Ukrainian law that eased travel restrictions for men aged 18 to 22, reports Breaking News.
“There is a limit to what this country can do, and therefore you have to respond with pragmatism,” he said.
Mr Harris previously said that overall migration levels, outside asylum applications, were “too high,” reports Breaking News.
When asked if he stood by those remarks, he responded: “Absolutely, and I think it’s quite extraordinary how many people want to shut down debate.
“Actually, many people don’t. The Irish people want to know that their Government is putting in place a system that is fair.
“Let me be really clear: Migration is a good thing. I said that last part when I made the comments. There are parts of our public services that would fall over were it not for people coming to our country and contributing. Migration is a good thing. But you know what is also a good thing? Having a system that has rules, having a system that has rules that are applied, making sure that there’s common sense and a social cohesion element to all of that,” he said, reports Breaking News.
The Tánaiste added that the Government is implementing a system to ensure that international protection applicants who are employed contribute towards their accommodation and meals.
He said the measure, which was first announced last year, “needs to happen more quickly,” reports Breaking News.
Also speaking ahead of Cabinet, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said he expected the new contribution system to be introduced over the next nine months.
“It’s the fair thing to do if people are working that they would make a contribution to their accommodation and food,” he said, reports Breaking News.
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