Ireland has a short memory when it comes to immigration

Ireland is facing an age-old political question that we’re normally on the other side of; what can we do about immigration? Being a historically poor country due to the effects of colonisation at the hands of the British Empire, Ireland has sent out many, many more emigrants across the globe than we’ve ever taken in immigrants.

Yet, times have changed, and thanks to Ireland’s improved relationship with global trade and our membership with the European Union granting access to free trade and freedom of movement, Ireland has become a relatively successful and stable nation with much to offer.

As our economy has grown, so has the number of people attracted to our shores to avail of our thriving economy, our closeness to continental Europe, and in many instances, simply the safety of a stable nation.

An island with short memories

This is a story you might imagine the Irish people would understand and sympathise with given the 1 million Irish people who fled the hunger and evictions for a better life abroad over just four years during the Famine, and many millions more after that. Unfortunately, some here seem to have short memories.

That brings us to where we are today: a rise of anti-immigrant sentiment, resulting in more than just talk. In 2022 there were a shocking 307 anti-immigrant protests in Dublin, more than we’ve ever seen before. Assistant Garda Commissioner for Organised and Serious Crime, Justin Kelly, reported that there were 617 protests in 2023 in Dublin, most of which were anti-immigration protests. It is important to note the reports may mask other forms of far right ‘protests’ such as microaggressions and actual violence seen every day in schools, workplaces, and on the streets.

This makes for a concerning pattern. The protests aren’t anything we haven’t heard before; signs with slogans such as “Ireland is Full”, “Women don’t feel safe anymore”, and “Enough is enough” are similar to protests across Europe, ones that would have even targeted at Irish people moving abroad within living memory. Yet, these protests forget the truth that we have benefitted from for a long time: immigration is a net good for the countries that experience it.

Immigration is a path forward

Ireland is facing a series of concerning problems for our future: a declining birth rate and subsequent uncertainty around public pensions, worsening depopulation in rural areas, and a shortage of people to fill a litany of roles across the country, from IT positions to trade work.

Immigration is a path forward on all of these issues and an opportunity for Ireland to continue to grow at rates unseen within the European Union. The fears surrounding crime and safety spread by these protesters are rooted in nothing but myth and hatred. Figures collected from the European prison services last year show immigrants are actually under-represented n the Irish prison population compared to their population size in the country.

Ireland’s policy should embrace immigrants

Despite the lack of truth in these claims, those in power seem to be taking note. Speaking in Brussels, former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said the State’s policy on migration should be “fair, firm and hard” which has been perceived as a toughening of Ireland’s immigration policy.

Who is also taking note? Immigrants who are already in Ireland. Many have spoken out in fear that the rising anti-immigrant views across the country are going to result in violence. Indeed, countless Brazilian gig workers have reported that certain areas of Dublin where the protests are at their strongest are “no-go” areas due to the racist targeting they face.

It’s time for those of us who don’t agree with this narrative to start using our voices to push back against those who claim they speak for “90% of the country”. Let’s remember our history and continue to work to build an Ireland that embraces immigrants, as we have been embraced across the globe.

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