Yet Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Tánaiste Simon Harris have bristled at being compared to Louis XIV and Nigel Farage respectively.
Fianna Fáil TD James O’Connor was given a verbal thick ear on RTÉ by his party leader for claiming Mr Martin behaved like France’s Le Roi Soleil (Sun King).
Mr Martin was selflessly not setting his sights on a similar reign of 72 years – the longest of any monarch in history. Therefore, the TD had to be bang out of order – his party leader he did not rule from a gilded throne, nor was he ever a top-down leader.
Tánaiste Simon Harris
Today’s News in 90 Seconds, Friday October 31
Meanwhile, the Social Democrats’ Gary Gannon earned the wrath of Mr Harris for likening him to the leader of Reform UK over comments on tightening immigration controls.
“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,” Mr Harris said.
Mr Gannon pointed out that the Tánaiste was no mere commentator. As deputy leader of the Government, his role surely went beyond saying something needed to be done.
In Mr Gannon’s view, Mr Harris’s tough talking placed him firmly on the “Nigel Farage route”.
He claimed the Fine Gael leader was obviously trying to deflect from the debacle of the presidential election results.
The mishandling of immigration has allowed heat and emotion to cloud thinking
Mr Martin also addressed the immigration issue. Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan was “looking at every aspect of migration policy”, he said.
He noted that about 3,500 asylum applications had been submitted in Ireland before the pandemic. The numbers had risen to 13,500 in 2023 and 18,500 last year.
There is no question that the mishandling of immigration has allowed heat and emotion to cloud thinking on an issue that is fundamental to our country’s future. It has to be dealt with efficiently and humanely.
Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe has noted the essential contribution that overseas workers have made. The pivotal role they play in our society must be appreciated. However, laws and rules must be implemented.
Delays in processing applications for those seeking international protection have caused problems for all concerned. Lack of consultation with local communities, coupled with pressure on scarce resources, have fuelled frustrations. If our immigration figures are too high, as Mr Harris suggests, it is his and the Government’s job to address the issue. Delays in deportation orders certainly do not help.
The EU migration pact sets out a framework, and a uniform approach has to be enforced across the bloc. Clearly, we have failed on many fronts in maintaining consistent and fair policies.
Many will welcome the fact that Mr Harris has acknowledged the Government must think again. The wonder is as to why it has taken so long.
