Taoiseach criticises Fianna Fáil candidate for using 'language of the far right' in TikTok post
Of Longford Picture: Harris Being Some The To Candidate Naas, Fianna Fáil The Was 'disappointed' Brian Language See Speaking By In Mr Said In That He Westmeath Used Lawless/pa
Fine Gael leader Simon Harris has criticised a Fianna Fáil councillor for her comments on immigration, saying that she has been using the “language of the far right”.
It comes after a Fianna Fáil candidate in Longford-Westmeath, Dympna Cunniffe, posted on TikTok that she backed a protest group that has pushed against the opening of a new accommodation centre for 1,000 asylum seekers.
She promised to bring about a system of mandatory community engagement if elected as a TD, with a caption on the video reading: “1,000 single males?”
“Would you want your children walking to school adjacent to the coming and goings of 1,000 asylum seekers awaiting background checks from countries dubbed ‘high risk’ as per government documents,” Ms Cunniffe wrote on social media.
Mr Harris said he was “disappointed” to see some of the language being used by the Fianna Fáil councillor.
Scroll for results in your area
He said that use of words like “vetoes” and linking asylum seekers to criminality is not fair or helpful.
The Taoiseach said that it was welcome that Fianna Fáil has distanced itself from the comments.
“This is the first general election I would imagine immigration is an issue, as in it’s a legitimate debating point.
“Parties are rightly being put through their paces by the people of Ireland as to our policies, that is a good thing.
“But language matters and I think people just need to be very careful here.
Earlier on Wednesday, Tánaiste and Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin said he did not agree with or approve the comments.
“I think the government has behaved responsibly. This government has done everything we possibly can, and the government is moving towards a State accommodation approach.” He added that there are always difficulties attached to immigration.
“So this will remain a challenging issue for any government, and it will remain a challenging issue for all political parties,” Mr Martin said.