The Taoiseach says there's a need to call out scaremongering about asylum seekers, as there are people attempting to exploit local concerns for 'political, personal or - in some cases - racist reasons'.
It follows recent protests against a number of Direct Provision centres around the country.
Speaking at an Immigration Council event in Dublin this morning, Leo Varadkar acknowledged that the Government needs to engage better with local communities to address their concerns.
However, he also suggested some people are trying to take advantage of that.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar says people need to call out “scaremongering” - some of it racist - about asylum seekers.
He’s been speaking at an @immigrationIRL conference following some recent protests about direct provision centres pic.twitter.com/5GK3nexTvm— Stephen Murphy (@StephenMNews) November 6, 2019
Mr Varadkar said: "I think we need to engage better with communities, and listen and respond to their concerns.
"That has to be done by Government - that's our responsibility - but we would appreciate your help in trying to do so."
He added: "I think we also need to call out the scaremongering of those who seek to exploit local concerns for their own political, personal or - in some cases - racist reasons.
"There are a lot of long-standing problems that exist in our society - whether it's the housing shortage, or rural decline.
"None of these are caused by migration, and we shouldn't allow people to claim that they are."
Protests
There have been several recent high-profile disputes over planned Direct Provision centres.
Yesterday, a group representing residents in Ballinamore, County Leitrim met with the Junior Minister for Immigration and Integration David Stanton.
Plans to accommodate asylum seekers in the town remain “paused” following protests outside an apartment complex last month.
Up to 130 asylum seekers were originally due to be housed in apartments in the town by the end of this month.
Some locals raised concerns over the number of people it would bring and the potential impact on the town's services.
However, residents yesterday indicated their support for finding an “appropriate accommodation solution” in the town.
Meanwhile, demonstrations are continuing in Achill Island over plans to accommodate asylum seekers there.
13 female asylum seekers has been due to move to the island later this week, but those plans were postponed due to the protests.
Another 25 asylum seekers were also to move to Achill at a later date.
An around the clock protest is continuing outside the Achill Head Hotel in Achill Island. Protesters say there is now also a “media blackout”.
When I asked this morning how long the protest would go on for, I was told “until Christmas if we have to & we’ve nothing else to say” pic.twitter.com/RH4k8ZMrJa— Barry Whyte (@BarryWhyte85) November 5, 2019
