Sinn Féin criticised over immigration remarks

A statement from a Sinn Féin TD that the party “opposes open borders” has come in for criticism.

A video posted by Cork TD Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire said that the party “is opposed to open borders” and that the party believes in an immigration system “that is managed, efficient, enforced and decisions are made at the Irish level where possible.”

He said that should Ireland sign up to the pact, it would “tie the hands of future governments.”

Ó Laoghaire’s comments were in reference to an upcoming Dáil and Seanad votes as to whether Ireland should opt-in to a new European Union migration pact.

The video has drawn criticism from fellow opposition parties as well as Government TDs.

Taoiseach Simon Harris said that Sinn Féin were using “right-wing Tory rhetoric” on immigration.

“I don’t wish to get involved in partisan politics on this, but I must say some of the comments that I’ve heard from some opposition politicians are very worrying, very peculiar and I think should cause concern.”

Green Party TD Patrick Costello referred to Sinn Féin’s statement as a “dog-whistle when they claim to be an anti-racist party,” saying he was “disappointed for the local Sinn Féin reps that have worked so hard locally to fight racism.”

Sinn Féin’s election manifesto from 2020 referred to “not wanting open borders,” but recent comments from the party have indicated a drift away from their traditional left-wing views on immigration in a bid to win over the centre ground.

Sinn Féin opposes open borders and advocates for a fair, efficient, and enforced immigration system that respects the human rights of those fleeing conflict and persecution.

This is why we have voted against much of the EU migration pact. @Donnchadhol pic.twitter.com/w8FvIGBrzy

— Sinn Féin (@sinnfeinireland) April 24, 2024

Former Lord Mayor of Dublin Hazel Chu called on Sinn Féin to “stop basing your principles on polling numbers.”

Fianna Fáil MEP Barry Andrews accused Sinn Féin of using “doublespeak”, saying that the EU is not “imposing” any immigration rules on Ireland as Ireland is not in the Schengen area.

He said the pact will give Ireland and EU states “more control over immigration policies, as opposed to the current system which lacks structure and safeguards.”

Sinn Féin has come in for criticism from parties on the centre-left and left-wing following their comments.

The Abolish Direct Provision campaign said it was “shameful” that Sinn Féin were using the language of the far-right with usage of the term “open borders.”

Labour election candidate for Killiney-Shankhill James Kearney said “Sinn Féin have spent years positioning themselves as a left-wing alternative to Fianna Fáil and now they are dog-whistling that away because of poll numbers.”

“Riding two horses at the same time is a great way to hurt yourselves, lads,” he remarked.

People Before Profit election candidate from Clondalkin Darragh Adelaide asked “where is this open border everyone keeps talking about?” saying that “tens of thousands of migrants are drowned in the sea or trafficked and sold into slavery by EU-funded regimes in Africa to prevent them coming to Europe.”

UCD lecturer Aidan Reagan said that Sinn Féin’s statement “won’t be remotely enough to satisfy those who will vote on the issue of immigration” and will “spook” urban left-liberal voters resulting in an overall loss of votes.

Sinn Féin’s 2020 election manifesto noted that the party “does not want open borders.”

“We believe that all states must manage migration,” their manifesto read, and said that “every state has to have an immigration system with well-functioning rules and regulation that everyone understands.”

“Where we do need migrants, such as to fill vacancies in our health system, our migration system should facilitate this,” it said.