TAOISEACH Leo Varadkar has been called upon to condemn comments made by Fine Gael councillor Stephen Keary after he referred to Eastern Europeans and non-nationals living in Ireland as a “major drain on the State”.
Speaking at last week’s Adare-Rathkeale district meeting, Cllr Keary – who is expected to be elected Mayor of Limerick City and County on June 26 – claimed that social welfare tourists from Eastern Europe see Ireland as “easy pickings”. He added that this was part of the reason for the substantial rise in the numbers on social housing lists and hospital waiting lists in recent years.
“The influx of non-nationals into the country is a major drain on the State. People have come here from Eastern Europe for the handouts. It has become a huge problem here. We are known as home for the handouts. They see us as easy pickings,” he added.
Labour Party councillor for City East, Elena Secas believes these comments are totally unacceptable and an insult to all immigrant communities in Ireland.
“I am asking Taoiseach Varadkar to urgently investigate this matter and take appropriate action. As an Irish person with an immigrant background who has been working tirelessly and contributing to the local community and the society in general, I speak on behalf of the immigrant communities who have made this country their home, and have been working tirelessly contributing to our society,” the Moldovan-born councillor said.
“As an elected councillor, I also believe that Cllr Keary is not fit to become Mayor of Limerick City and County,” she declared.
“The Mayor should be inclusive and representative of all and every person in Limerick and should promote a positive image of Limerick locally, nationally and internationally. I strongly condemn these racist comments and believe that all immigrant communities in Limerick and across Ireland are owed an apology,” Cllr Secas added.
Labour Party TD Jan O’Sullivan described the statement made by Cllr Keary, who is father-in-law of junior minister Patrick O’Donovan, as racist and disgraceful.
“It cannot be allowed to stand and I call on Cllr Keary to withdraw it immediately. There is no way he should be proposed as Mayor by Fine Gael and supported by Fianna Fáil unless he retracts his divisive and unfair representation of people from Eastern Europe,” Deputy O’Sullivan said.
Solidarity councillor for City North, Cian Prendiville accused Cllr Keary of trying to “scapegoat immigrants and those on social welfare for the health and housing crisis his party has created”.
“This is precisely the type of ‘dog whistle’, divide and rule politics that people like Donald Trump and Marine Le Pen have tried to use to whip up racism and division. It seems Fine Gael’s most reactionary wing have been emboldened by the coronation of their leader Leo Varadkar, and recent attacks on those on social welfare,” said Cllr Prendiville.
Forum Polonia, a cooperative platform that brings together representatives of various Polish community organisations throughout Ireland, said they were “deeply disappointed” by Cllr Keary’s comments.
“We were shocked that a person who wishes to become the Mayor of Limerick and who is a member of Fine Gael would hold such attitudes,” Forum Polonia chairperson, Barnaba Dorda explained.
“To paint all Eastern Europeans – who form the largest minority in the Republic of Ireland – as moving to Ireland simply to avail of social benefits, or, as described by Cllr Keary, for ‘handouts’, is not only deeply concerning but socially irresponsible. This is exactly the type of demagoguery that Ireland has thankfully avoided thus far. Such statements are factually incorrect, harmful and present an unfair picture,” he said.
A Fine Gael spokesperson said: “Cllr Keary’s comments do not reflect Fine Gael policy. Fine Gael is a committed European party. We believe all citizens of the State should be treated equally.”
When contacted by the Limerick Post this week following his comments at a district council meeting last week, Cllr Keary commented, “My remarks were about a tiny proportion of people who abuse our social welfare system. I did not set out to discriminate. All citizens in this State should be treated equally and be allowed access to our services.
“A small minority abuse the system and some of my constituents in the Adare-Rathkeale Municipal Area have relayed their feelings to me on that. That is all I was attempting to say. I apologise if my comments hurt anyone. I certainly did not intend to do so. Anyone who applies for State supports and meets the qualifying criteria are entitled to it,” he concluded.
by Alan Jacques
