Some protesters in East Wall have been described as “far-right agitators spouting hate and misinformation” by TD Holly Cairns following demonstrations over the arrival of asylum seekers.
Integration Minister Roderic O’Gorman said that some protestors in East Wall are “missing concern” as he dismissed calls for a vetting process.
A number of protests have been held in the community over the arrival of 380 international protection seekers in the community.
The majority of the arrivals are male and have been moved into the old ESB building.
Speaking at an Oireachtas Committee meeting, Minister O’Gorman acknowledged that people had been moved into the area very quickly.
However, he argued that due to the pressures on the asylum system, the Department of Integration is “having to act far more quickly than I would like”.
Some of the protesters were described as “far-right agitators spouting hate and misinformation” by Social Democrats TD Holly Cairns.
Minister O’Gorman criticised the “misuse of concerns by certain nefarious groups”.
The Minister confirmed that a leaflet drop will take place in East Wall to inform the local community about the new arrivals.
However, he dismissed calls for the asylum seekers to be vetted.
“Vetting has a very specific meaning in Irish law.
“You get vetted if you are working or volunteering with children or adults who are vulnerable.
“Vetting doesn't take place anywhere else.
“If I move into a new apartment block or a new community or wherever I don't get that vetted.”
Green Party TD Patrick Costello said that there was a growing danger of far-right figures taking advantage of communities’ genuine concerns about housing.
“We have a very genuine crisis and we have very genuine problems here that are being exploited in a very deliberate way by an aggressive and dangerous far-right element in this country,” he said.
Minister O’Gorman also confirmed that tented accommodation is being phased out for refugees. There are 310 people currently in tents.
Some 73,000 people have arrived in Ireland so far this year seeking refuge. This includes 46,000 Ukrainian refugees and 17,000 International Protection Seekers.
The Department of Integration has estimated that by the end of the year, there will be 72,000 Ukrainian refugees and International Protection Seekers in Ireland.
Mr O’Gorman said that there is an acceptance that the Department may lose accommodation as contracts with hotels and other providers run out. This will result in people being moved.
“We have to be frank with people, there will be disruption. People will move from hotels,” he added.
“We can’t guarantee an absence of disruption.”
He said that if the Government had not used hotels to accommodate Ukrainian refugees, Ireland would have been forced to tell Ukrainian authorities as early as March that the country was no longer able to accept people.
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