Simon Harris accuses the left of ‘trying to caricature me’ on migration

Tanaiste Simon Harris has said the accusation that he is a populist is an attempt from the left to “caricature” him and “shut me down”.

He said that, as citizens were talking about migration, it should also be raised by politicians as he accused the Dail of being the only forum in Ireland where it was not discussed.

Mr Harris has come in for criticism for stating that migration numbers in Ireland are “too high”, both asylum applications and general migration, and that it would be irresponsible not to discuss the country’s immigration system.

He has been accused by the opposition of dogwhistling and of mirroring the politics of Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, which Mr Harris has denied.

On Saturday, Labour TD Conor Sheehan said Mr Harris was “quite populist”, citing his recent comments on migration.

“That, to me, was just populism. Like it was just Simon Harris saying something a) to distract and b) to divide,” he said in an interview with The Journal.

Responding, Mr Harris said that he was “shocked” at “how reluctant” Irish parliamentarians were to discuss migration.

He stressed once again that migration was “a good thing” and that Ireland benefits from migrants contributing to society in Ireland and making it their home.

He said it would be “bizarre” if the country did not have a national migration strategy and said that the comments were being made now as the number of asylum seekers arriving in Ireland has risen dramatically in recent years.

“The effort to shut down this debate is kind of stark, and it’s really worrying, and it’s one of the reasons why so many Irish people feel disconnected from politics,” he said speaking in Co Kildare on Saturday.

“I intend to play my part as a political leader, and Fine Gael intends to play its part as a political party in having a constructive engagement.

“The only populist stuff (has come from) the left in an attempt to caricature me and shut me down and they won’t succeed.”

He added: “I’m really quite shocked and taken aback by how reluctant politicians in our national parliament are to discuss migration.

“It must be the only forum in Ireland where people don’t discuss migration.

“In every community in Ireland, these conversations are taking place, and it’s actually time to show a little bit of political leadership here and actually be willing to discuss issues.

“It’s easy to discuss issues that everybody agrees on. It’s easy to discuss straightforward issues.

“It’s much more about political courage to be willing to actually talk about an issue that is complex.”

Asked about a proposal whereby asylum is only granted on a temporary basis, so that if conditions change in a country of origin, that people would be returned, Mr Harris said it was “an interesting idea that merits consideration”.

“This country is a compassionate country, I want to really clear on this, I don’t want us to lose that in the debate,” he said.

“The far right try to hijack our national identity, they don’t speak for us. They don’t have a mandate to speak for us.

“We’re a good, decent people in this country, and we want to do right by people in difficult circumstances.”

He said that the majority of people who seek international protection in Ireland are refused after appeal and said that there needed to be an “honest” conversation about this in a “respectful” manner.

“We’ve got to call out the disgusting, despicable criminal acts of people who deserve the full rigours of justice to be served and some of the horrors we’ve seen…

“That’s separate and distinct to having a policy debate.”