INTL Video (1 minute) -- The forced illegals problem in Ireland
- Thread starter mzkitty
- Start date
Melodi
Disaster Cat
The usual pattern has been to offer business owners, often nearly bankrupted by COVID, six months to one-year contracts. The steady guarantee of "guests" is often more money than they can make locally, especially in the countryside.
And if you think the West is "lost" because people don't want to burn down local landmarks and community buildings because the central government is gazumping them from being used in their intended way rather than sorting the problem and getting them back into use for the community than I don't know what to say.
Remember, I am also an immigrant here, a LEGAL one, so I do have some understanding of the difference between legal and illegal migration.
The government stated today (surprise, surprise, surprise) that they are putting together a bill to help out the ten areas most affected by the sudden increase in population, including Roscrea. They also plan to build specific accommodations for these people, which will take time. However, at least they are starting to realize that they can't keep shoveling this down the throats of rural communities.
So, the protests may be helping to get that message across. We shall see...
And if you think the West is "lost" because people don't want to burn down local landmarks and community buildings because the central government is gazumping them from being used in their intended way rather than sorting the problem and getting them back into use for the community than I don't know what to say.
Remember, I am also an immigrant here, a LEGAL one, so I do have some understanding of the difference between legal and illegal migration.
The government stated today (surprise, surprise, surprise) that they are putting together a bill to help out the ten areas most affected by the sudden increase in population, including Roscrea. They also plan to build specific accommodations for these people, which will take time. However, at least they are starting to realize that they can't keep shoveling this down the throats of rural communities.
So, the protests may be helping to get that message across. We shall see...
Seeker22
Has No Life - Lives on TB
The root word of Ireland is, Ire. As in high dudgeon. As in royally pissed off. Righteously pissed.
I should know, this is part of my ancestry.
They could unplug the toaster, but that would entail getting hands dirty and possibly burnt.
See, what they don't understand is, by sitting on their... hands and not doing anything except complaining, they already DID get their hands dirty. The 'non-participation' participation trophy is already being engraved as we speak.
Hognutz
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Keep your local shops and rapefugee centers then, in the end they will be destroyed by the great replacement you are advocating.
Melodi
Disaster Cat
Oh, good grief, I am not advocating any "Great Replacement," we've already lost many of our local shops and centers to COVID.
The world is not a binary "either this or that," and this is a perfect example. It is possible to be anti-illegal immigration while at the same time being willing to treat legal immigrants in ways that help them adapt to their new country. And avoid outright cruelty to those who are waiting to have their asylum cases decided (here they get opted; they are not let loose with a court date in 2030), especially women and small children.
I have also said, repeatedly, that I am not in favor, nor do I encourage or accept the invasion of military-aged men into Europe, most of whom are ECONMIC migrants rather than refugees. Also, they should not BE in Ireland because they almost always come to another EU country first, where legally, they must have their cases decided. They are not doing that; in my view, they should be deported because of that. The issue here is that it is complicated to deport people, and often it isn't known which EU country they came to Ireland from. The way to change that is to better secure and confine migrants where they show up in the first place. But some other EU countries get overwhelmed and just let them go. France has been especially bad about just letting them live on the streets, which encourages them to grab boats and try to get to England, which is perceived as being softer on migrants. It isn't, but it is also the "end of the line" (as is Ireland) as there are no more places for people to run to.
As I said, this is a big complicated mess.
But if you can't READ what I am saying, please DO NOT put words in my mouth. I never said anything about being in favor of a "Great Replacement." In fact, as a trained anthropologist I could write about ten pages on why that is such a bad idea. But I'm pretty sure you wouldn't read it anyway, and I won't bore everyone else to tears.
Melodi
Disaster Cat
From the media (also a good question in one of the articles, why didn't the government offer to buy the vacant hotel in the town itself? It is an eyesore, but convenient to the GP offices, library, bank, post office, and local high school - so perfect for WOMEN AND CHILDREN).
Oh, and The Irish Journal admits that the first reports were wrong, these are not women and kids from Ukraine but asylum seekers. That means they did come in illegally and are waiting for their cases to be decided. Again, they really shouldn't be here, but being women and kids, there is no reason to treat them maliciously. However, a government-owned and operated refugee/migrant center would be better than taking over rural hotels. But this explains why even I was confused about where they were from as the reporting was wrong (possibly intentionally, but I won't go there).
www.rte.ie
O'Gorman meets local reps from Tipperary over Roscrea hotel
Updated / Tuesday, 16 Jan 2024 17:24
Protesters remain outside Racket Hall hotel near Roscrea, Co Tipperary (RollingNews.ie)
Protesters remain outside Racket Hall hotel near Roscrea, Co Tipperary (RollingNews.ie)
By Cian McCormack
A number of new initiatives were suggested for Roscrea at a meeting between local representatives from Tipperary and Minister for Integration Roderic O'Gorman.
Fianna Fáil TD Jackie Cahill has described a meeting as "very positive" and said a number of initiatives were suggested and that Minister O'Gorman will now discuss these with the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste.
He said he expects a response in the next few hours.
Up to 17 asylum seekers, understood to be women and children, were moved into Racket Hall hotel near Roscrea, Co Tipperary, yesterday.
Scuffles between protesters and gardaí took place as the International Protection applicants were being brought into the hotel.
The Garda Public Order Unit was present and up to 200 people were protesting at one point.
One man was arrested under the Public Order Act and later released.
Racket Hall has been selected to house 160 International Protection applicants.
People taking part in the protest, now in its sixth day, say they have been horrified at the scenes that emerged yesterday on TV and social media and say they were portrayed as being racist and aggressive.
This morning Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said he is asking ministers to look at how they can help support the ten districts in the country which have the highest proportion of Ukrainian refugees and International Protection applicants.
Speaking on his way into Cabinet this morning, Mr Varadkar said: "We've done that already to a certain extent with the Community Recognition Fund, but I think we need to do more and to help out with increased resources around health and around education."
The Taoiseach said he understands the frustrations people feel in Roscrea.
"I understand that hundreds of people have been accommodated in Roscrea in the last couple of years, both from Ukraine and people seeking international protection, and that has put the town under pressure.
"And I can understand the frustrations that everyday people feel and some of the public reps feel there as well."
Mr Cahill said it was important that the town had the resources it needed, however, he believes local representatives are pushing an "open door" as there is Government support to boost resources.
There is also the issue of having a functioning hotel in town, he said.
It is understood the meeting heard a proposal calling on the State to buy a vacant hotel in the town centre.
As many as 40 to 50 protestors remained outside the hotel at lunchtime in opposition to asylum seekers being moved in to it.
Protestors plan to continue indefinitely and say that those housed at the hotel should be moved to another town.
Sinn Féin TD Matt Carthy urged people not to protest outside properties where asylum seekers are being accommodated.
He said what happened in Roscrea was completely unacceptable and people should not direct their frustrations at women and children who have come to Ireland seeking shelter and protection.
However, he defended his party colleague, Tipperary TD Martin Browne, who spoke at a public meeting in Roscrea on Sunday.
"I think if anybody listened to what he said at that meeting they would find very little to disagree with," he added.
This comes as many townspeople told RTÉ's News at One their major concern is over the hotel's change of use.
In a vox pop they told the programme they are angry and concerned that community functions, funeral receptions and weddings - which were once facilitated at the hotel - have no venue to take place in.
"Minister Heather Humphreys announced grants for vacant buildings in rural towns yesterday," Mr Cahill told RTÉ News.
"The old Grants Hotel in Roscrea should be included for a similar allocation."
Under the scheme announced by Minister for Rural and Community Affairs Heather Humphreys yesterday, former garda stations, post office and schools are to be converted for community use.
Protesters outside Racket Hall hotel earlier today (Pic: RollingNews.ie)
One of those, Caroline Phelan from Roscrea, said she was heartbroken as a mother and grandmother to see the young children being brought under garda escort and exposed to the scenes.
She accused the gardaí of taking a heavy handed approach with the presence of the 'soft cap' public order unit.
Ms Phelan said gardaí made no effort to negotiate with local people in advance of the bus of asylum seekers arriving.
A garda statement said an operation was put in place yesterday and shortly before midday.
It was carried out by uniformed officers and supported by 'soft cap' public order personnel - officers not wearing helmets or body armour who provided a cordon at the entrance to the hotel.
Protesters bring toys for International Protection applicants staying at Racket Hall hotel
A number of the women who are part of the protest brought bags of toys up to the hotel for the children inside.
They say they are not against women and children being housed there and want to help them, but they oppose the way the issue was handled and the way they have lost their local hotel.
They say they are maintaining their peaceful protest.
Just before 6am there were six people sitting at the gate of the hotel around fires and wrapped in sleeping bags, maintaining an overnight presence. A garda van was parked inside the grounds.
Mr Varadkar said people are entitled to protest and to hold views that others find objectionable, but added that to engage in violence or to prevent people getting to their place of work or their home is anti-democratic and anti-freedom.
Protesters outside Racket Hall hotel with fuel for a fire (Pic: Rollingnews.ie)
Minister O'Gorman said that he does not have plans to visit Roscrea, but will meet with local TDs and representatives in order to see how Government can respond to local concerns.
Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, he said families and female applicants will be housed in Racket Hall.
"I think the most effective thing I can do is meet with the TDs, meet with the local representatives, hear what are the resourcing challenges that the town is facing at the moment and see what I and Government colleagues can do to respond in a meaningful way," he said.
Mr O'Gorman said that he respects people's right to protest but believes that this can be done in a way that does not impact on vulnerable people.
"My understanding is that people are now settling into the hotel but that some children were upset by the tension they witnessed last night," he said.
The minister said he believes that many people are seeking to stir up anti-immigrant sentiment, and he doesn't think it is "ever acceptable to block vulnerable people from being able to access their accommodation."
Additional reporting by Cathy Halloran and Mícheál Lehane
www.rte.ie
TIPPERARY
Roscrea protesters criticised over scuffles with gardaí as children arrived to hotel
Integration Minister Roderic O’Gorman is to speak to Tipperary TDs about additional supports for the town this week.
0
30.9k
9 hours ago
PROTESTS IN ROSCREA have been criticised after scuffles outside Racket Hall left children arriving to receive shelter distressed.
Protests outside the hotel continued overnight, following a demonstration numbering up to 300 yesterday evening.
Integration Minister Roderic O’Gorman has said he will speak with Tipperary TDs to discuss support to services in Roscrea in light of the arrival of International Protection Applicants families to the area.
Last night, crowds gathered to hear speeches by local activists, while far-right agitators arrived to speak to locals at the hotel’s entrance, repeating many anti-immigration tropes around population replacement and so-called ‘plantations’.
Gardaí from the Public Order Unit were deployed earlier as 17 asylum seekers – understood to be three families with young children – arrived to receive shelter in the hotel.
Speaking to RTÉ Radio One’s Morning Ireland programme today, O’Gorman said it’s “not acceptable” for people to block entrances to accommodation and stressed that plans to house 160 people isn’t changing due to the government’s need to house refugees and asylum seekers arriving in Ireland.
“I’ve always said I respect people’s rights to protest, people’s right to disagree with decisions government has taken but I also think that people can do that in a way that doesn’t impact on vulnerable people, and particularly doesn’t block vulnerable people from being able to access their accommodation,” he said, adding he appreciated the support of gardaí in handling the arrival of asylum seekers into the area.
“I think it was important that we were able to access the accommodation in Racket Hall accommodation for families accommodation for single female applicants,” he said.
The Green Party TD added: “My understanding is that families are settling in but it was difficult enough experience, children were upset seeing the scuffles and I suppose experiencing the tension as they arrived, but my understanding is they were settling into the hotel last night.”
He said he currently has no plans to travel to Roscrea but he said he plans to speak with local TDs and councillors to discuss concerns around services in the town and its ability to provide for refugees and asylum seekers.
“I think right now the most effective thing that I can do is meet with the TDs and meet with the local representatives, hear what are the resourcing challenges that the town is facing at the moment and see what I and government colleagues can do to respond to those challenges in a meaningful way,” O’Gorman said.
He said that some people were seeking “to stir up anti-immigrant sentiment” around the situation and promised that the government would try to combat “distortion” and “inaccuracies” about refugees and asylum seekers in future.
Tipperary TD Jackie Cahill appealed for calm and said he would be meeting with O’Gorman today regarding extra resources for the county.
Cahill told RTÉ Radio One’s Drivetime programme yesterday that he was warned by one individual last week that the hotel would be targeted for an arson attack.
He told the programme that he reported the matter to Roscrea gardaí.
“I would hope and pray that there won’t be one [attack] at Racket Hall,” he said.
Gardaí confirmed to The Journal that they received information about an arson attack and are assessing the threat.
“I refer to your query and am to advise while An Garda Síochána does not comment on specific conversation with third parties, An Garda Síochána can confirm information was received,” a Garda spokesperson said.
“Any such information received by An Garda Síochána is subject of an assessment. An Garda Síochána takes any suggestion of a threat very seriously and could be subject of an investigation.
“An Garda Síochána has no further comment, at this time.”
Update: An earlier version of this article said the families were Ukrainian. The Department of Integration has since said the families are International Protection applicants.
Oh, and The Irish Journal admits that the first reports were wrong, these are not women and kids from Ukraine but asylum seekers. That means they did come in illegally and are waiting for their cases to be decided. Again, they really shouldn't be here, but being women and kids, there is no reason to treat them maliciously. However, a government-owned and operated refugee/migrant center would be better than taking over rural hotels. But this explains why even I was confused about where they were from as the reporting was wrong (possibly intentionally, but I won't go there).
Govt to examine Roscrea community hotel funding
It is understood that the Government has agreed in principle to examine funding mechanisms to support a community hotel in Roscrea, Co Tipperary.
Updated / Tuesday, 16 Jan 2024 17:24
Protesters remain outside Racket Hall hotel near Roscrea, Co Tipperary (RollingNews.ie)
Protesters remain outside Racket Hall hotel near Roscrea, Co Tipperary (RollingNews.ie)
By Cian McCormack
A number of new initiatives were suggested for Roscrea at a meeting between local representatives from Tipperary and Minister for Integration Roderic O'Gorman.
Fianna Fáil TD Jackie Cahill has described a meeting as "very positive" and said a number of initiatives were suggested and that Minister O'Gorman will now discuss these with the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste.
He said he expects a response in the next few hours.
Up to 17 asylum seekers, understood to be women and children, were moved into Racket Hall hotel near Roscrea, Co Tipperary, yesterday.
Scuffles between protesters and gardaí took place as the International Protection applicants were being brought into the hotel.
The Garda Public Order Unit was present and up to 200 people were protesting at one point.
One man was arrested under the Public Order Act and later released.
Racket Hall has been selected to house 160 International Protection applicants.
People taking part in the protest, now in its sixth day, say they have been horrified at the scenes that emerged yesterday on TV and social media and say they were portrayed as being racist and aggressive.
This morning Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said he is asking ministers to look at how they can help support the ten districts in the country which have the highest proportion of Ukrainian refugees and International Protection applicants.
Speaking on his way into Cabinet this morning, Mr Varadkar said: "We've done that already to a certain extent with the Community Recognition Fund, but I think we need to do more and to help out with increased resources around health and around education."
The Taoiseach said he understands the frustrations people feel in Roscrea.
"I understand that hundreds of people have been accommodated in Roscrea in the last couple of years, both from Ukraine and people seeking international protection, and that has put the town under pressure.
"And I can understand the frustrations that everyday people feel and some of the public reps feel there as well."
Mr Cahill said it was important that the town had the resources it needed, however, he believes local representatives are pushing an "open door" as there is Government support to boost resources.
There is also the issue of having a functioning hotel in town, he said.
It is understood the meeting heard a proposal calling on the State to buy a vacant hotel in the town centre.
As many as 40 to 50 protestors remained outside the hotel at lunchtime in opposition to asylum seekers being moved in to it.
Protestors plan to continue indefinitely and say that those housed at the hotel should be moved to another town.
Sinn Féin TD Matt Carthy urged people not to protest outside properties where asylum seekers are being accommodated.
He said what happened in Roscrea was completely unacceptable and people should not direct their frustrations at women and children who have come to Ireland seeking shelter and protection.
However, he defended his party colleague, Tipperary TD Martin Browne, who spoke at a public meeting in Roscrea on Sunday.
"I think if anybody listened to what he said at that meeting they would find very little to disagree with," he added.
This comes as many townspeople told RTÉ's News at One their major concern is over the hotel's change of use.
In a vox pop they told the programme they are angry and concerned that community functions, funeral receptions and weddings - which were once facilitated at the hotel - have no venue to take place in.
"Minister Heather Humphreys announced grants for vacant buildings in rural towns yesterday," Mr Cahill told RTÉ News.
"The old Grants Hotel in Roscrea should be included for a similar allocation."
Under the scheme announced by Minister for Rural and Community Affairs Heather Humphreys yesterday, former garda stations, post office and schools are to be converted for community use.
Protesters outside Racket Hall hotel earlier today (Pic: RollingNews.ie)
One of those, Caroline Phelan from Roscrea, said she was heartbroken as a mother and grandmother to see the young children being brought under garda escort and exposed to the scenes.
She accused the gardaí of taking a heavy handed approach with the presence of the 'soft cap' public order unit.
Ms Phelan said gardaí made no effort to negotiate with local people in advance of the bus of asylum seekers arriving.
A garda statement said an operation was put in place yesterday and shortly before midday.
It was carried out by uniformed officers and supported by 'soft cap' public order personnel - officers not wearing helmets or body armour who provided a cordon at the entrance to the hotel.
Protesters bring toys for International Protection applicants staying at Racket Hall hotel
A number of the women who are part of the protest brought bags of toys up to the hotel for the children inside.
They say they are not against women and children being housed there and want to help them, but they oppose the way the issue was handled and the way they have lost their local hotel.
They say they are maintaining their peaceful protest.
Just before 6am there were six people sitting at the gate of the hotel around fires and wrapped in sleeping bags, maintaining an overnight presence. A garda van was parked inside the grounds.
Mr Varadkar said people are entitled to protest and to hold views that others find objectionable, but added that to engage in violence or to prevent people getting to their place of work or their home is anti-democratic and anti-freedom.
Protesters outside Racket Hall hotel with fuel for a fire (Pic: Rollingnews.ie)
Minister O'Gorman said that he does not have plans to visit Roscrea, but will meet with local TDs and representatives in order to see how Government can respond to local concerns.
Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, he said families and female applicants will be housed in Racket Hall.
"I think the most effective thing I can do is meet with the TDs, meet with the local representatives, hear what are the resourcing challenges that the town is facing at the moment and see what I and Government colleagues can do to respond in a meaningful way," he said.
Mr O'Gorman said that he respects people's right to protest but believes that this can be done in a way that does not impact on vulnerable people.
"My understanding is that people are now settling into the hotel but that some children were upset by the tension they witnessed last night," he said.
The minister said he believes that many people are seeking to stir up anti-immigrant sentiment, and he doesn't think it is "ever acceptable to block vulnerable people from being able to access their accommodation."
Additional reporting by Cathy Halloran and Mícheál Lehane
Govt to examine Roscrea community hotel funding
It is understood that the Government has agreed in principle to examine funding mechanisms to support a community hotel in Roscrea, Co Tipperary.
Roscrea protesters criticised over scuffles with gardaí as children arrived to hotel
Integration Minister Roderic O’Gorman is to speak to Tipperary TDs about additional supports for the town this week.
0
30.9k
9 hours ago
PROTESTS IN ROSCREA have been criticised after scuffles outside Racket Hall left children arriving to receive shelter distressed.
Protests outside the hotel continued overnight, following a demonstration numbering up to 300 yesterday evening.
Integration Minister Roderic O’Gorman has said he will speak with Tipperary TDs to discuss support to services in Roscrea in light of the arrival of International Protection Applicants families to the area.
Last night, crowds gathered to hear speeches by local activists, while far-right agitators arrived to speak to locals at the hotel’s entrance, repeating many anti-immigration tropes around population replacement and so-called ‘plantations’.
Gardaí from the Public Order Unit were deployed earlier as 17 asylum seekers – understood to be three families with young children – arrived to receive shelter in the hotel.
Speaking to RTÉ Radio One’s Morning Ireland programme today, O’Gorman said it’s “not acceptable” for people to block entrances to accommodation and stressed that plans to house 160 people isn’t changing due to the government’s need to house refugees and asylum seekers arriving in Ireland.
“I’ve always said I respect people’s rights to protest, people’s right to disagree with decisions government has taken but I also think that people can do that in a way that doesn’t impact on vulnerable people, and particularly doesn’t block vulnerable people from being able to access their accommodation,” he said, adding he appreciated the support of gardaí in handling the arrival of asylum seekers into the area.
“I think it was important that we were able to access the accommodation in Racket Hall accommodation for families accommodation for single female applicants,” he said.
The Green Party TD added: “My understanding is that families are settling in but it was difficult enough experience, children were upset seeing the scuffles and I suppose experiencing the tension as they arrived, but my understanding is they were settling into the hotel last night.”
He said he currently has no plans to travel to Roscrea but he said he plans to speak with local TDs and councillors to discuss concerns around services in the town and its ability to provide for refugees and asylum seekers.
“I think right now the most effective thing that I can do is meet with the TDs and meet with the local representatives, hear what are the resourcing challenges that the town is facing at the moment and see what I and government colleagues can do to respond to those challenges in a meaningful way,” O’Gorman said.
He said that some people were seeking “to stir up anti-immigrant sentiment” around the situation and promised that the government would try to combat “distortion” and “inaccuracies” about refugees and asylum seekers in future.
Tipperary TD Jackie Cahill appealed for calm and said he would be meeting with O’Gorman today regarding extra resources for the county.
Cahill told RTÉ Radio One’s Drivetime programme yesterday that he was warned by one individual last week that the hotel would be targeted for an arson attack.
He told the programme that he reported the matter to Roscrea gardaí.
“I would hope and pray that there won’t be one [attack] at Racket Hall,” he said.
Gardaí confirmed to The Journal that they received information about an arson attack and are assessing the threat.
“I refer to your query and am to advise while An Garda Síochána does not comment on specific conversation with third parties, An Garda Síochána can confirm information was received,” a Garda spokesperson said.
“Any such information received by An Garda Síochána is subject of an assessment. An Garda Síochána takes any suggestion of a threat very seriously and could be subject of an investigation.
“An Garda Síochána has no further comment, at this time.”
Update: An earlier version of this article said the families were Ukrainian. The Department of Integration has since said the families are International Protection applicants.
energy_wave
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Melodi
Disaster Cat
Well, it looks like the protests are having some positive effect. The Government has agreed that leaving a rural town (on the tourist route, no less) with no hotel or conference center was not a good move. Now, they have agreed to look at plans to buy a hotel (probably the one downtown) to use as a State-owned hotel and community center. I don't know how that would work. It might be better for the government to buy old hotels and hostels and use them as refugee and migrant centers. If the numbers decrease, they could turn them into "family hubs" for homeless Irish families. I am unsure how well a "government-owned, community hotel" would work - a community center, sure, but a hotel?
www.rte.ie
Govt agree in principle to examine Roscrea community hotel funding
Updated / Tuesday, 16 Jan 2024 23:24
Protesters remain outside Racket Hall hotel near Roscrea, Co Tipperary (Pic: RollingNews.ie)
Protesters remain outside Racket Hall hotel near Roscrea, Co Tipperary (Pic: RollingNews.ie)
By Sandra Hurley
Political Reporter
It is understood that the Government has agreed in principle to examine funding mechanisms to support a community hotel in Roscrea, Co Tipperary.
The proposal was put forward by Fianna Fáil TD Jackie Cahill at a meeting between local representatives and Minister for Integration Roderic O'Gorman.
Mr Cahill had described the meeting as "very positive".
Speaking on RTÉ's Prime Time, Minister for State at the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Sport Thomas Byrne confirmed Government plans to establish a "community-owned" hotel in Roscrea.
"Clearly, there's a great need for the facilities that a hotel offers to the community," he said.
Up to 17 asylum seekers, understood to be women and children, were moved into Racket Hall hotel near Roscrea.
Scuffles between protesters and gardaí took place as the international protection applicants were being brought into the hotel yesterday.
The Garda Public Order Unit was present and up to 200 people were protesting at one point. One man was arrested under the Public Order Act and later released.
Racket Hall has been selected to house 160 international protection applicants.
People taking part in the protest, now in its sixth day, say they have been horrified at the scenes that emerged yesterday on TV and social media and say they were portrayed as being racist and aggressive.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said he was asking ministers to look at how they can help support the ten districts in the country that have the highest proportion of Ukrainian refugees and international protection applicants.
Speaking on his way into Cabinet this morning, Mr Varadkar said: "We've done that already to a certain extent with the Community Recognition Fund, but I think we need to do more and to help out with increased resources around health and around education."
The Taoiseach said he understands the frustrations people feel in Roscrea.
"I understand that hundreds of people have been accommodated in Roscrea in the last couple of years, both from Ukraine and people seeking international protection, and that has put the town under pressure.
"And I can understand the frustrations that everyday people feel and some of the public reps feel there as well," he said.
Mr Cahill said it was important that the town had the resources it needed. However, he believes local representatives are pushing an "open door" as there is Government support to boost resources.
There is also the issue of having a functioning hotel in town, he said.
It is understood the meeting heard a proposal calling on the State to buy a vacant hotel in the town centre.
As many as 40 to 50 protestors remained outside the hotel today in opposition to asylum seekers being moved in to it.
Protestors plan to continue indefinitely and say that those housed at the hotel should be moved to another town.
Sinn Féin TD Matt Carthy urged people not to protest outside properties where asylum seekers are being accommodated.
He said what happened in Roscrea was completely unacceptable and people should not direct their frustrations at women and children who have come to Ireland seeking shelter and protection.
However, he defended his party colleague, Tipperary TD Martin Browne, who spoke at a public meeting in Roscrea on Sunday.
"I think if anybody listened to what he said at that meeting they would find very little to disagree with," he added.
This comes as many townspeople told RTÉ's News at One their major concern is over the hotel's change of use.
They told the programme they are angry and concerned that community functions, funeral receptions and weddings, which were once facilitated at the hotel, have no venue to take place in.
"Minister Heather Humphreys announced grants for vacant buildings in rural towns yesterday," Mr Cahill told RTÉ News.
"The old Grants Hotel in Roscrea should be included for a similar allocation."
Under the scheme announced by Minister for Rural and Community Affairs Heather Humphreys yesterday, former garda stations, post office and schools are to be converted for community use.
Govt to examine Roscrea community hotel funding
It is understood that the Government has agreed in principle to examine funding mechanisms to support a community hotel in Roscrea, Co Tipperary.
Updated / Tuesday, 16 Jan 2024 23:24
Protesters remain outside Racket Hall hotel near Roscrea, Co Tipperary (Pic: RollingNews.ie)
Protesters remain outside Racket Hall hotel near Roscrea, Co Tipperary (Pic: RollingNews.ie)
By Sandra Hurley
Political Reporter
It is understood that the Government has agreed in principle to examine funding mechanisms to support a community hotel in Roscrea, Co Tipperary.
The proposal was put forward by Fianna Fáil TD Jackie Cahill at a meeting between local representatives and Minister for Integration Roderic O'Gorman.
Mr Cahill had described the meeting as "very positive".
Speaking on RTÉ's Prime Time, Minister for State at the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Sport Thomas Byrne confirmed Government plans to establish a "community-owned" hotel in Roscrea.
"Clearly, there's a great need for the facilities that a hotel offers to the community," he said.
Up to 17 asylum seekers, understood to be women and children, were moved into Racket Hall hotel near Roscrea.
Scuffles between protesters and gardaí took place as the international protection applicants were being brought into the hotel yesterday.
The Garda Public Order Unit was present and up to 200 people were protesting at one point. One man was arrested under the Public Order Act and later released.
Racket Hall has been selected to house 160 international protection applicants.
People taking part in the protest, now in its sixth day, say they have been horrified at the scenes that emerged yesterday on TV and social media and say they were portrayed as being racist and aggressive.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said he was asking ministers to look at how they can help support the ten districts in the country that have the highest proportion of Ukrainian refugees and international protection applicants.
Speaking on his way into Cabinet this morning, Mr Varadkar said: "We've done that already to a certain extent with the Community Recognition Fund, but I think we need to do more and to help out with increased resources around health and around education."
The Taoiseach said he understands the frustrations people feel in Roscrea.
"I understand that hundreds of people have been accommodated in Roscrea in the last couple of years, both from Ukraine and people seeking international protection, and that has put the town under pressure.
"And I can understand the frustrations that everyday people feel and some of the public reps feel there as well," he said.
Mr Cahill said it was important that the town had the resources it needed. However, he believes local representatives are pushing an "open door" as there is Government support to boost resources.
There is also the issue of having a functioning hotel in town, he said.
It is understood the meeting heard a proposal calling on the State to buy a vacant hotel in the town centre.
As many as 40 to 50 protestors remained outside the hotel today in opposition to asylum seekers being moved in to it.
Protestors plan to continue indefinitely and say that those housed at the hotel should be moved to another town.
Sinn Féin TD Matt Carthy urged people not to protest outside properties where asylum seekers are being accommodated.
He said what happened in Roscrea was completely unacceptable and people should not direct their frustrations at women and children who have come to Ireland seeking shelter and protection.
However, he defended his party colleague, Tipperary TD Martin Browne, who spoke at a public meeting in Roscrea on Sunday.
"I think if anybody listened to what he said at that meeting they would find very little to disagree with," he added.
This comes as many townspeople told RTÉ's News at One their major concern is over the hotel's change of use.
They told the programme they are angry and concerned that community functions, funeral receptions and weddings, which were once facilitated at the hotel, have no venue to take place in.
"Minister Heather Humphreys announced grants for vacant buildings in rural towns yesterday," Mr Cahill told RTÉ News.
"The old Grants Hotel in Roscrea should be included for a similar allocation."
Under the scheme announced by Minister for Rural and Community Affairs Heather Humphreys yesterday, former garda stations, post office and schools are to be converted for community use.
Melodi
Disaster Cat
And then the politicians scream at each other and play the blame game. Will they do anything or continue the political theater?
www.thejournal.ie
IMMIGRATION
Govt's migration communications strategy described as a 'dog's dinner' at FG party meeting
Varadkar said he wanted a migration system that is welcoming and fair but also firm.
0
4.9k
8 hours ago
THE GOVERNMENT’S COMMUNICATIONS strategy on migration has been described as a “dog’s dinner” at Fine Gael’s first parliamentary party meeting of the new year.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar came under pressure from a number of TDs and senators in his own party today who raised the issue of migration, with some criticising the lack of a government plan for sourcing accommodation for asylum seekers across the country.
Questions were also asked of Varadkar as to what was the delay in rolling out the government’s new communications plan.
Senator Martin Conway, who described the communications strategy on migration as a “dog’s dinner”, said it is “utterly frustrating” that ministers continue to say that communications is going to improve.
He said it was not good enough that people like Senator Sean Kyne would get an email on a Thursday to say that there is going to be international protection applicants arriving to a facility the following Monday.
“That’s not communication, that’s not being fair, that’s not learning the lessons that need to be learned,” Conway told the private meeting today.
“We have been promised and promised and promised a communication plan… I haven’t heard it. I haven’t been told what it is,” said Conway.
He said the “whole thing is out of control and we need to pull it back very, very quickly”.
“We are losing Paddy and Mary Reasonable,” he said, stating that the ordinary public just want transparency.
Integration Minister Roderic O’Gorman confirmed to The Journal before Christmas that the Department of An Taoiseach is carrying out a body of work to tackle misinformation and to explain clearly what happens when someone arrives into Ireland seeking asylum.
Conway said he believes it is the “right thing to do” for government to accept the responsibility of accommodating men, women and children that seek asylum.
“Whoever they are, they are human beings,” he said, adding that he could not understand the “flip-flopping” on accommodation centres that were intended to be used for men and suddenly a change of use meant they would be used to accommodate women and children.
He said there are issues around local services in areas that need to be addressed, telling his party colleagues that issues have arisen where there has been a “rigmarole” in getting an extra prefab in a school to accommodate the additional children attending.
“I don’t agree that this country is full, it certainly is not full, but some of the services are full and some of the schools are full, and some of the medical facilities are full,” he said.
Other speakers at the meeting included Minister of State with responsibility for Office of Public Works and the Gaeltacht, Patrick O’Donovan, who told the meeting that people are “worried and stressed over this”.
“That does not make them bad people, it doesn’t make them racist, it doesn’t make them right-wing xenophobic Nazis. And I think we have to be careful that we don’t finger wag at them,” he added.
He said people are “cheesed off” because they feel they are not being listened to. “It is a huge problem,” added O’Donovan.
Varadkar told his party members that he will always make the case that migration is a good thing for Ireland in the round.
“Were it not for migration, we would not have the public services we have or as strong an economy,” said Varadkar, who added that he wanted a migration system that is welcoming and fair, but is also firm with those who try to come here illegally or take advantage of Ireland’s generosity.
The discussion today took place against the backdrop of scenes at Racket Hall Hotel in Roscrea yesterday where 17 asylum seekers – understood to be three families with young children – arrived to receive shelter in the hotel.
A demonstration numbering up to 300 took place yesterday evening, with protestors staying at the scene overnight.
Crowds gathered to hear speeches by local activists, while far-right agitators arrived to speak to locals at the hotel’s entrance, repeating many anti-immigration tropes around population replacement and so-called ‘plantations’.
Scuffles broke out yesterday between some protestors and gardaí as asylum seekers were arriving at the hotel.
Cabinet today discussed the need for a special support package for certain districts that have accommodated the high numbers of asylum seekers.
While the fine detail of the plan was not discussed, it is understood there was buy-in from all ministers that more needed to be done to support communities.
Separately, a number of concerns were raised at the Fine Gael meeting today relating pressure on small and medium businesses, particularly with Revenue calling in taxes that were warehoused during the pandemic.
Concerns were raised about whether the restructuring warehoused debt repayments would go far enough for business, with many telling the Taoiseach today that it is a huge issue on the ground locally.
Govt's migration communications strategy described as a 'dog's dinner' at FG party meeting
Varadkar said he wanted a migration system that is welcoming and fair but also firm.
www.thejournal.ie
Govt's migration communications strategy described as a 'dog's dinner' at FG party meeting
Varadkar said he wanted a migration system that is welcoming and fair but also firm.
0
4.9k
8 hours ago
THE GOVERNMENT’S COMMUNICATIONS strategy on migration has been described as a “dog’s dinner” at Fine Gael’s first parliamentary party meeting of the new year.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar came under pressure from a number of TDs and senators in his own party today who raised the issue of migration, with some criticising the lack of a government plan for sourcing accommodation for asylum seekers across the country.
Questions were also asked of Varadkar as to what was the delay in rolling out the government’s new communications plan.
Senator Martin Conway, who described the communications strategy on migration as a “dog’s dinner”, said it is “utterly frustrating” that ministers continue to say that communications is going to improve.
He said it was not good enough that people like Senator Sean Kyne would get an email on a Thursday to say that there is going to be international protection applicants arriving to a facility the following Monday.
“That’s not communication, that’s not being fair, that’s not learning the lessons that need to be learned,” Conway told the private meeting today.
“We have been promised and promised and promised a communication plan… I haven’t heard it. I haven’t been told what it is,” said Conway.
He said the “whole thing is out of control and we need to pull it back very, very quickly”.
“We are losing Paddy and Mary Reasonable,” he said, stating that the ordinary public just want transparency.
Integration Minister Roderic O’Gorman confirmed to The Journal before Christmas that the Department of An Taoiseach is carrying out a body of work to tackle misinformation and to explain clearly what happens when someone arrives into Ireland seeking asylum.
Conway said he believes it is the “right thing to do” for government to accept the responsibility of accommodating men, women and children that seek asylum.
“Whoever they are, they are human beings,” he said, adding that he could not understand the “flip-flopping” on accommodation centres that were intended to be used for men and suddenly a change of use meant they would be used to accommodate women and children.
He said there are issues around local services in areas that need to be addressed, telling his party colleagues that issues have arisen where there has been a “rigmarole” in getting an extra prefab in a school to accommodate the additional children attending.
“I don’t agree that this country is full, it certainly is not full, but some of the services are full and some of the schools are full, and some of the medical facilities are full,” he said.
Other speakers at the meeting included Minister of State with responsibility for Office of Public Works and the Gaeltacht, Patrick O’Donovan, who told the meeting that people are “worried and stressed over this”.
“That does not make them bad people, it doesn’t make them racist, it doesn’t make them right-wing xenophobic Nazis. And I think we have to be careful that we don’t finger wag at them,” he added.
He said people are “cheesed off” because they feel they are not being listened to. “It is a huge problem,” added O’Donovan.
Varadkar told his party members that he will always make the case that migration is a good thing for Ireland in the round.
“Were it not for migration, we would not have the public services we have or as strong an economy,” said Varadkar, who added that he wanted a migration system that is welcoming and fair, but is also firm with those who try to come here illegally or take advantage of Ireland’s generosity.
The discussion today took place against the backdrop of scenes at Racket Hall Hotel in Roscrea yesterday where 17 asylum seekers – understood to be three families with young children – arrived to receive shelter in the hotel.
A demonstration numbering up to 300 took place yesterday evening, with protestors staying at the scene overnight.
Crowds gathered to hear speeches by local activists, while far-right agitators arrived to speak to locals at the hotel’s entrance, repeating many anti-immigration tropes around population replacement and so-called ‘plantations’.
Scuffles broke out yesterday between some protestors and gardaí as asylum seekers were arriving at the hotel.
Cabinet today discussed the need for a special support package for certain districts that have accommodated the high numbers of asylum seekers.
While the fine detail of the plan was not discussed, it is understood there was buy-in from all ministers that more needed to be done to support communities.
Separately, a number of concerns were raised at the Fine Gael meeting today relating pressure on small and medium businesses, particularly with Revenue calling in taxes that were warehoused during the pandemic.
Concerns were raised about whether the restructuring warehoused debt repayments would go far enough for business, with many telling the Taoiseach today that it is a huge issue on the ground locally.
Doc1
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Your post above clearly indicates several things; it proves that you have been propagandized and brainwashed to a certain degree. Now, I'm sure the previous sentence has 'your back up' to use a UK phrase, but follow me please.
You talk about how you "may be able to help" with things like spoken English and knitting and later you talk about the right way and the wrong way to facilitate the assimilation.
Now you should think about these things very carefully: Why would you want to help these people? Why do you assume, or take as a given, that it's a good thing to have people of a different culture, religion and race suddenly forced upon your community? Was anyone in the community asked (or polled) if they wanted this influx of alien peoples suddenly arriving en-mass? Do you or your neighbors believe that Irish culture is deficient and will somehow benefit from the influx of all of these alien people? Do you want the local Irish culture and its residents eventually radically changed, destroyed and/or subsumed by the alien people? That last question is very important because history proves that this is what happens when masses of alien peoples enter any area. Have you witnessed a history of civil harmony, rainbows and unicorns flourishing when masses of African or Middle Eastern peoples are injected into European communities or have you seen increased strife, crime and disharmony?
My last question - and it's last because I could write all night on this subject - is have you ever heard anyone give a rational, cogent and truly logical explanation of how the people in your community, or any European community, benefit from these influxes of third world immigrants and if not, why should anyone want them and who is pushing this agenda???
Best
Doc
Melodi
Disaster Cat
Hi Doc,
I have not been propagandized in any way. I have worked with foreign students and legal immigrants for about 50 years. I started with tutoring spoken English at the English language institute in Hattiesburg and then doing research in graduate school on foreign students and immigrant communities in the United States, including some of the history.
Yes, I am aware of the difficulty of trying to mix Western/Northern European cultures with Islamic ones. I told my husband we were moving from Gottsunda in Sweden because I saw how that community went from being mostly retired people to becoming a dumping ground (by the Swedish government) for third and fourth-world immigrants who didn't even know what indoor plumbing was. As a trained anthropologist, I knew it was time to leave when MEN started wearing traditional robes to places like the mall. When they do it en mass, it suggests they are not even trying to learn about their new country anymore but are retreating into forming a tribal enclave, which is precisely what happened.
When I wrote the paragraph you are quoting, it was after the news had said these were Ukrainian families who are LEGAL immigrants. If so, given the way the war is going and the destruction in Ukraine, I think it is highly likely the Ukrainian women and kids are likely to stay here for years (or life). Helping them become well-settled and integrated citizens of Ireland is helpful in that context. Isolating and forcing them to keep to themselves can create the separation into isolated groups that any sane country wishes to avoid.
Now that the truth has come out about them being migrants awaiting a decision on their cases, are they or are they not refugees (or are they economic migrants), I will not be jumping into all the above. However, I also see no reason to treat women and innocent children cruelly or capriciously. A more significant portion of women and kids often are found to be REAL refugees fleeing war, rape, and other horrors.
As I said in previous posts (more than once), the problem is they should be elsewhere because they should have requested asylum in the first country they entered. Some of them are escaped sex slaves, so that doesn't apply; that's a more significant problem in Ireland than the government wants to admit. People's smugglers and gangs trick young women (often from Asia) into thinking they are getting a job in Europe and then place them in brothels hidden around the country (including out here). Until the laws were changed, these women were cowed into not reporting their situation to authorities because they would be deported, but their "masters" were left alone. Now, things are decided on a case-by-case basis. Still, the women and young girls are allowed to stay in Ireland (usually in migrant services) until the cases are sorted, and often, they are granted permission to remain as they face violence or death from their previous owners if they were returned home.
They are a subset of the problem, not the main one, but they exist. Like I said, this whole mess is complicated. It is also NOT the United States or Germany. We get the spillover from the problems in Europe because they are not controlling migrants that come into their countries and are happy just to let them drift on to Ireland or the UK (more often the UK). This issue threatens to tear apart the EU (not necessarily bad, but not a good way for it to fall apart).
But the bottom line is that it makes much more sense to help LEGAL immigrants acclimate and become accustomed to life in their new country. I was once such a LEGAL immigrant here. Getting people with language skills and local contacts helps prevent multi-generational pockets of people who never become employed or join the outside culture. They become dependent on the welfare state and form their little tribal enclaves (and this isn't just Muslims that do this) with people they do understand and a subculture that they know.
To avoid that, children need to be in local schools, and adults learn English (or German, Swedish, etc.) as quickly as possible so they meet and get to know people in their new community. Getting a job is also a huge help. The low-level service jobs often get help with English, and, like the house cleaner I had who lasted two weeks before she had to apologize because she had a job offer, a managerial track at the local Lidle can lead to better jobs in the future.
So again, please do not assume I have been "brainwashed" by the Irish or any other government. I know what living in an unfamiliar country is like - I did that in Venezuela in the late 1970s. I also know what it is like to live in a country where you don't speak the language (Sweden), and finally, I know what it is like to become a legal immigrant—Ireland, where I have lived for nearly three decades.
Since, as a practical matter, Ireland can't avoid all immigration (it simply can't); working to make sure that immigration is legal and controlled, along with helping those who are accepted to live here feel welcome and integrated (for real) into their new country is a lot better than what has happened in Sweden or Germany. Those who closed their eyes to the problems in hopes they would go away now have to live with the consequences.
Sorry, this is long. I tried explaining things in bits and pieces, but I needed help to get it to work. I know this is a very emotional and hot-button topic in the US, and for good reason. The border there is entirely open, and the situation is both insane and highly dangerous.
Why both large US Corporations and the US Military might want such mass migration is a topic for another thread. But Ireland is not the US, and neither is the situation here precisely the same as in the US. They are related to the mass upheavals worldwide regarding human migration but are not the same.
I have not been propagandized in any way. I have worked with foreign students and legal immigrants for about 50 years. I started with tutoring spoken English at the English language institute in Hattiesburg and then doing research in graduate school on foreign students and immigrant communities in the United States, including some of the history.
Yes, I am aware of the difficulty of trying to mix Western/Northern European cultures with Islamic ones. I told my husband we were moving from Gottsunda in Sweden because I saw how that community went from being mostly retired people to becoming a dumping ground (by the Swedish government) for third and fourth-world immigrants who didn't even know what indoor plumbing was. As a trained anthropologist, I knew it was time to leave when MEN started wearing traditional robes to places like the mall. When they do it en mass, it suggests they are not even trying to learn about their new country anymore but are retreating into forming a tribal enclave, which is precisely what happened.
When I wrote the paragraph you are quoting, it was after the news had said these were Ukrainian families who are LEGAL immigrants. If so, given the way the war is going and the destruction in Ukraine, I think it is highly likely the Ukrainian women and kids are likely to stay here for years (or life). Helping them become well-settled and integrated citizens of Ireland is helpful in that context. Isolating and forcing them to keep to themselves can create the separation into isolated groups that any sane country wishes to avoid.
Now that the truth has come out about them being migrants awaiting a decision on their cases, are they or are they not refugees (or are they economic migrants), I will not be jumping into all the above. However, I also see no reason to treat women and innocent children cruelly or capriciously. A more significant portion of women and kids often are found to be REAL refugees fleeing war, rape, and other horrors.
As I said in previous posts (more than once), the problem is they should be elsewhere because they should have requested asylum in the first country they entered. Some of them are escaped sex slaves, so that doesn't apply; that's a more significant problem in Ireland than the government wants to admit. People's smugglers and gangs trick young women (often from Asia) into thinking they are getting a job in Europe and then place them in brothels hidden around the country (including out here). Until the laws were changed, these women were cowed into not reporting their situation to authorities because they would be deported, but their "masters" were left alone. Now, things are decided on a case-by-case basis. Still, the women and young girls are allowed to stay in Ireland (usually in migrant services) until the cases are sorted, and often, they are granted permission to remain as they face violence or death from their previous owners if they were returned home.
They are a subset of the problem, not the main one, but they exist. Like I said, this whole mess is complicated. It is also NOT the United States or Germany. We get the spillover from the problems in Europe because they are not controlling migrants that come into their countries and are happy just to let them drift on to Ireland or the UK (more often the UK). This issue threatens to tear apart the EU (not necessarily bad, but not a good way for it to fall apart).
But the bottom line is that it makes much more sense to help LEGAL immigrants acclimate and become accustomed to life in their new country. I was once such a LEGAL immigrant here. Getting people with language skills and local contacts helps prevent multi-generational pockets of people who never become employed or join the outside culture. They become dependent on the welfare state and form their little tribal enclaves (and this isn't just Muslims that do this) with people they do understand and a subculture that they know.
To avoid that, children need to be in local schools, and adults learn English (or German, Swedish, etc.) as quickly as possible so they meet and get to know people in their new community. Getting a job is also a huge help. The low-level service jobs often get help with English, and, like the house cleaner I had who lasted two weeks before she had to apologize because she had a job offer, a managerial track at the local Lidle can lead to better jobs in the future.
So again, please do not assume I have been "brainwashed" by the Irish or any other government. I know what living in an unfamiliar country is like - I did that in Venezuela in the late 1970s. I also know what it is like to live in a country where you don't speak the language (Sweden), and finally, I know what it is like to become a legal immigrant—Ireland, where I have lived for nearly three decades.
Since, as a practical matter, Ireland can't avoid all immigration (it simply can't); working to make sure that immigration is legal and controlled, along with helping those who are accepted to live here feel welcome and integrated (for real) into their new country is a lot better than what has happened in Sweden or Germany. Those who closed their eyes to the problems in hopes they would go away now have to live with the consequences.
Sorry, this is long. I tried explaining things in bits and pieces, but I needed help to get it to work. I know this is a very emotional and hot-button topic in the US, and for good reason. The border there is entirely open, and the situation is both insane and highly dangerous.
Why both large US Corporations and the US Military might want such mass migration is a topic for another thread. But Ireland is not the US, and neither is the situation here precisely the same as in the US. They are related to the mass upheavals worldwide regarding human migration but are not the same.