Editorial: Political failures on immigration must be solved with compassion

Yet again, we are witnessing the issue of migration being weaponised.

And it is gardaí we see caught up in ­another violent flashpoint with protesters at a Wicklow site, earmarked to accommodate international protection applicants.

Taoiseach Simon Harris has rightly condemned the incident on Thursday. “This is a country of laws. Attacks on gardaí should be condemned by all,” he said.

Justice Minister Helen McEntee said she “absolutely” believes there are people at these protests “who are not local”. Gardaí had to be able to respond, “not just to protect themselves but to uphold the law”, she added.

There was even an attempt to burn a small ­premises, according to Garda Commissioner Drew Harris. Gardaí were attacked with stones and vehicles were damaged, one with an axe, he added.

The scenes showed “evidence of escalating stand-offs with gardaí, which are worryingly becoming ever more frequent,” the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors said in a statement.

Locals have a right to object, but no one can be free to attack, intimidate or threaten. Just as there can be no condoning such illegal behaviour, there can be no concealing failures in providing adequate accommodation centres with appropriate facilities.

As a consequence, gardaí continually find themselves on the front line to mitigate the effects of collective mismanagement.

Tánaiste Micheál Martin has found himself in hot water in Britain for highlighting what he called the “Rwanda effect” from the UK’s plan to deport migrants. Ms McEntee says 80pc of asylum-seekers here had crossed the Border from the North.

Such an effect was inevitable, Mr Martin said, because the UK policy was a “knee-jerk reaction” to failing to control immigration after Brexit.

French president Emmanuel Macron denounced prime minister Rishi Sunak’s plan as the politics of “cynicism” and a betrayal of European values.

Downing Street’s intention to put asylum-seekers on a one-way flight to the African nation has been criticised as inhumane. Yet currently there are 1,600 people seeking protection in our country, left out in the cold. The issue must be managed – nationally and internationally – compassionately and rationally.

Dealing with asylum-seekers effectively and fairly, while protecting borders, has been an EU priority for many years. Too many. Some progress has been made to co-ordinate and accelerate processing of applicants.

But each country must do its share. As it would be wrong to attempt to stop people fleeing for their lives – such as in Ukraine – it is equally unacceptable to turn a blind eye to their needs on arrival. Climate change, war and persecution remain push factors.

Generations left here to find a home overseas. We also must take due care of those who come here.

Economically and socially, history shows how it was only in opening up that we were able to expand and develop. Yes, there have to be limits, but immigrants enrich and strengthen the fabric of Irish life.

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