TÁNAISTE SIMON HARRIS has said that when migration is discussed people “on the left try to shut down that debate”.

The comments come after Harris was criticised by the opposition for remarks he made on migration. One TD suggested the Tánaiste was “going down the Nigel Farage route”.

Speaking to reporters outside Government Buildings yesterday Harris said the government need to consider migration numbers in a “very serious way”.

He made the comments after being asked about Ireland’s immigration policy in light of the riots at Citywest campus last week.

“Our migration numbers are too high, and I think that is really an issue that needs to be considered in a very serious way by Government”, he said after acknowledging the benefits of immigration.

The September report on the International Protection System by the Department of Justice said that compared to last year, the number of asylum applications “has dropped significantly”. 

‘Irresponsible’

In response, Labour’s Aodhán Ó Ríordáin MEP labelled Harris’ comments as ‘reckless dog whistling’, while Social Democrats TD and spokesperson for justice Gary Gannon suggested Harris is trying to “go down the Nigel Farage route”.

Today, speaking at Custume Barracks in Athlone, Harris said said it would be “irresponsible” not to discuss migration.

“That does a huge disservice to the people of this country, to social cohesion and to inform the policy discussion in Ireland,” he said.

“Migration is a legitimate public policy point of consideration in our country and across the European Union.”

He said the fact that 80% of asylum applications are rejected in Ireland were what led him to believe migration numbers are too high, and said that fact “should raise a red flag for government”.

He also said that general migration figures, separate from asylum applications, are also “too high”.

“We can continue to go around and put fingers in ears and not listen to people if we want, but we can actually do what political leaders do – engage on topics.

With additional reporting from PA.