In the small Irish town of Rosslare Harbour, residents are growing increasingly frustrated with the government’s plan to house asylum seekers and Ukrainian refugees in local hotels. They have set up a campaign, in stark contrast to riot-inciting anti-immigrant activists in Dublin, to express their dissatisfaction.
This issue has brought immigration to the forefront of Irish politics and will likely impact national elections for the first time. There are concerns that anti-immigrant and far-right parties may gain traction due to the government’s policies.
Ireland has typically been free of significant far-right political parties and has a strong taboo against anti-immigrant rhetoric due to its history of emigration. However, this taboo has started to weaken with the arrival of a large number of Ukrainian refugees, along with a record number of asylum seekers and a multinational workforce amid a housing crisis.
The recent Dublin riot, triggered by the stabbing of three children by a man identified as Algerian-born, has further exacerbated this shift. Prime Minister Leo Varadkar has acknowledged the country’s capacity limit to house asylum seekers and refugees, announcing plans to reduce allowances for newly arrived Ukrainian refugees and placing a limit on their stay in state accommodation.
In response to news that the abandoned Great Southern Hotel would be used to accommodate asylum seekers, local residents in Rosslare Harbour mobilized through a WhatsApp group to express their concerns. They are already hosting over 300 asylum seekers and fear the impact of accommodating hundreds more. While they welcome refugees and asylum seekers, they are not equipped to handle a large influx.
Despite the opposition, the government is considering using the hotel for asylum seekers, with plans to house 170 people in 44 rooms, but details about the remaining rooms and apartments remain unclear. The integration minister has emphasized the acute shortage of accommodation, leading to a difficult situation for all parties involved.
The issue of immigration has gained significant attention in Ireland, with recent census data showing a doubling of the foreign-born population in 20 years. This has led to a surge in concern among voters, with immigration now being the third largest issue after housing and cost of living. This represents a shift towards a less liberal stance on immigration in the country.
As a result, there is growing support for parties or candidates with strong anti-immigration views, indicating a change in the political landscape. Shifts in the middle ground and support for independent candidates are expected to complicate the upcoming elections, potentially affecting the prospects of leading political parties.
Local independent councillors, representing areas like Rosslare Harbour, are voicing the concerns of their constituents, who feel unheard and neglected by the current political landscape. There is a strong sense of frustration and anger among the local population, who feel that their needs are not being represented at a national level.
In conclusion, immigration has become a significant issue in Irish politics, with potential far-reaching consequences for upcoming elections and the political landscape as a whole.
(Additional reporting by Padraic Halpin; Editing by Alison Williams)
