There’s been uproar online at comments made by Fine Gael’s Leo Varadkar in relation to hard working Eastern European migrants willing to do jobs that Irish people won’t.
The Tánaiste Leo Varadkar said in Dáil that Ireland depends on migrants from Eastern Europe, as these people are willing to do jobs that the Irish people don’t.
The comments were made in response to comments from Tipperary Independent TD Mattie McGrath, asking about the shortage of pork exports to Northern Ireland, adding that there is a national shortage of employees in every industry around the country.
“There is a national crisis with employees for every industry, but this is particularly acute because of the animal welfare aspect,” McGrath said.
“One of the many things the pandemic has taught us is the extent to which we are dependent on people coming from central and eastern Europe who are willing to work here,” Varadkar claimed.
“They are often willing to work in jobs Irish people do not want to do. Britain, which has left the Single Market, is really learning that because it will not see these people return.”
A delighted Varadkar continued with what he said was a great fact that many of those migrant workers who had returned to their home countries during the pandemic are now returning to Ireland as travel bans across the continent have eased.
“Thankfully, we will see people from eastern Europe come back to Ireland to take up those jobs,” the Tánaiste said.
“I anticipate that return of migrants will happen now that travel bans are being lifted and flights restored.”
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