Martin calls for ‘civilised debate’ on migration issues amid disorder warning

The Taoiseach has called for a “civilised debate” on migration issues as he warned those involved in disorder outside asylum seeker accommodation in Dublin that they will be dealt with robustly.

Micheal Martin’s comments came as he faced accusations from Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns of not doing enough to counter narratives linking migration and crime rates.

The exchanges between the two politicians unfolded during Leaders’ Questions in the Dail when Ms Cairns expressed concerns that asylum seekers living in the Citywest Hotel, particularly children, had been left “terrorised” by the disorder witnessed outside the building on Tuesday evening.

The disturbances flared at a protest that was staged following an alleged sexual assault of a girl in the vicinity of the hotel in the early hours of Monday.

Ms Cairns said the rioting was orchestrated online by “far right actors” whom she accused of peddling “racist myths”.

“They openly incite violence and celebrate it when it happens,” she said.

“While they spread their dangerous and divisive disinformation online, there is an onus on everyone in this chamber to counter that rhetoric. We must use language carefully and factually.”

She added: “It is disgusting that an alleged sexual assault on one vulnerable child has resulted in other children being terrorised.”

Mr Martin condemned the violence and said innocent people living in the hotel were threatened in terms of their safety and security.

He said it “beggars belief” that gardai were abused and attacked.

The Taoiseach said there were people who would not condone the violence at the hotel but would still want to “raise issues”.

Mr Martin said politicians needed to be open to those voices.

“I just think it’s important that we try and have a civilised debate here,” he said.

In response, Ms Cairns said the Taoiseach should do more to counter “false narratives”.

“I’m not saying that we can’t discuss the asylum system, of course we absolutely have to, but it shouldn’t be too much to ask that we do that in a fact-based way and that we shut down racist tropes,” she said.

“This is something we all have to do at every opportunity, and I hope you will do in the future.”

Mr Martin said he took exception to Ms Cairns’ comments.

He suggested the Social Democrats leader and her colleagues approached the issues with a “certain degree of arrogance” and he urged her to listen to the opinions of people who did not share her perspective.

“And then address those issues on a fact-based, evidence-based approach,” he added.