Working Class Have A Say on Immigration, Argues Socialist Republican Group

A statement issued by the Irish Republican Socialist Party argues that the working class “must be allowed to have a say on immigration”.

“The blame for housing shortages, a failing health care system and general pressures on social resources lies with the capitalist economic system, ” the statement read, but added that “immigration into Ireland may exacerbate” the issues. 

In addition, “it has become evident that a concerning new political and social trend has also emerged, which seeks to demonise and shut down any expressions of concern around the short- and long-term impact of immigration into Irish working-class communities”. This trend, the group said, is “not only sickeningly condescending” but “outright dangerous and must stop”.

“The branding of decent working class people who raise perfectly legitimate questions around the welfare of their communities as ‘racist’, ‘bigoted’ and ‘far right’, can only serve to isolate such people from progressive activism and ideas, and all at a time when an actual ‘far right’ are only too happy to provide our neighbours with a new political home and much more menacing platform to speak from, “ the statement explained, adding that it is the “army of slum landlords, and letting agents, our low-paying employers and indeed our ever-present political class” who will “wag their fingers” at the working class for raising concerns. 

The news comes as a petition against the EU Migration Pact is taking off with close to 20,000 signatures, arguing that it incurs a loss of sovereignty for Ireland, as the people would be handing over power to control borders to the European Union, while others have raised human rights concerns.