Mattie McGrath: Rejects EU 'Safe Countries' List, Blasts Asylum Failures
Mattie McGrath addressed motions on asylum policy, opposing Motion 1 and Motion 3 while supporting Motion 2. He rejected an EU-wide list of so-called safe countries, criticised special concessions for Ukrainian refugees, and urged a stronger application of the Safe Third Country Rule.
Mattie McGrath told the Dáil he could not support Motion 1 or Motion 3 but would back Motion 2. He argued Motion 1 would force Ireland to accept an EU-wide list of 'safe countries', undermining national decision-making and sovereignty.
He described an EU-wide approach as a "one-size-fits-all" policy that removes Irish control over who enters the country and opens the door to more appeals with no accountability. He said the former minister had publicly encouraged people to come to Ireland in multiple languages, a move he called "lunacy."
On Motion 2 he said he supports a tougher application of the Safe Third Country Rule - that people who passed through multiple safe countries should not be permitted to lodge a claim here. He warned Ireland must stop being treated as "a soft target" and urged restoration of "common sense" in asylum practice.
He criticised what he called disproportionate and continuing special treatment for Ukrainians, saying it fuels resentment as Irish families struggle for housing, healthcare and school places. He raised figures given to him by the OPW, a company and the HSE - citing initial costs of £200,000, later valuations of £70,000–£80,000, and a current per-unit cost he described as a "staggering £480,000" - and accused the process of being "rotten to the core" with "huge corruption."
McGrath outlined local disruption in his county, naming multiple sites affected by asylum and IPAS placements and alleging demographic changes that exceed guidelines. He said Section 5 approvals were contested in several places, noted three High Court cases relating to Dundrum, and claimed the local fire officer had not inspected a site despite safety concerns. He called for the promised report from the minister on how contracts were granted.
He also raised broader oversight issues, saying there are insufficient social welfare inspectors and alleging people travel in and out collecting welfare payments. He repeatedly called for respect for the Irish people, the constitution and national sovereignty while saying resources and public consent must be considered in asylum policy.
Stance on motions
Mattie McGrath told the Dáil he could not support Motion 1 or Motion 3 but would back Motion 2. He argued Motion 1 would force Ireland to accept an EU-wide list of 'safe countries', undermining national decision-making and sovereignty.
Concerns about EU list and public consent
He described an EU-wide approach as a "one-size-fits-all" policy that removes Irish control over who enters the country and opens the door to more appeals with no accountability. He said the former minister had publicly encouraged people to come to Ireland in multiple languages, a move he called "lunacy."
Call for stricter Safe Third Country Rule
On Motion 2 he said he supports a tougher application of the Safe Third Country Rule - that people who passed through multiple safe countries should not be permitted to lodge a claim here. He warned Ireland must stop being treated as "a soft target" and urged restoration of "common sense" in asylum practice.
Allegations over modular homes and special treatment
He criticised what he called disproportionate and continuing special treatment for Ukrainians, saying it fuels resentment as Irish families struggle for housing, healthcare and school places. He raised figures given to him by the OPW, a company and the HSE - citing initial costs of £200,000, later valuations of £70,000–£80,000, and a current per-unit cost he described as a "staggering £480,000" - and accused the process of being "rotten to the core" with "huge corruption."
Local impact, Section 5 and court actions
McGrath outlined local disruption in his county, naming multiple sites affected by asylum and IPAS placements and alleging demographic changes that exceed guidelines. He said Section 5 approvals were contested in several places, noted three High Court cases relating to Dundrum, and claimed the local fire officer had not inspected a site despite safety concerns. He called for the promised report from the minister on how contracts were granted.
Concerns about oversight and sovereignty
He also raised broader oversight issues, saying there are insufficient social welfare inspectors and alleging people travel in and out collecting welfare payments. He repeatedly called for respect for the Irish people, the constitution and national sovereignty while saying resources and public consent must be considered in asylum policy.
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Transcript
I strongly oppose Motion 1 and 3, but I do think I can support Motion 2 here today. On Motion 1, I cannot support any proposal that forces Ireland to accept an EU-wide list of so-called safe countries. This is yet another example of Brussels removing our ability to make independent decisions on who comes into our country. It is a one-size-fits-all policy that undermines our sovereignty. And worse, it opened the door to even more migrants appealing decisions with no accountability. We need to update our list of safe countries and stop the abuse of the system. It is a pity that the former Minister Roger O'Gorman is not here, Deputy O'Gorman, because he sent out a tweet appealing to people in several different languages to come to Ireland. You have your own front door in three months. The lunacy of it. As for Motion 3, regarding the transition of temporary protection for Ukrainians, I must say that the special treatment afforded to one nationality over all others is contributing to growing frustration across Irish society. While Irish families struggling to get housing, health care or even school places, we are told resources are unlimited when it comes to accommodating tens of thousands of displaced people. There is a never-ending list of entitlements rolled out for the Ukrainians and that Irish people cannot access. We see the whole new modular home situation in Clannmel. I was told by OPW and the company and the HSE that we are going to cost £200,000. They are now worth £70,000 or £80,000. They are now costing a staggering £480,000 per unit. It is unbelievably, it is disgraceful, it is rotten to the core and there is huge corruption in it that there has to be. As I said, there is no long-term plan, no public consent and no acknowledgement of the strain this is placing on local communities. It is leading to social fragmentation and resentment. The special concessions must be cut back. We can all help people fleeing war, but I do not think anyone agrees to the level of special treatment that has happened here. Motion 2 I do not support. I do support a stronger application of the Safe Third Country Rule. Someone who has passed through multiple safe countries before reaching Ireland, they should not be permitted to lodge a claim in here. We are not a soft target. People think we are, but we must change our tune. This is about restoring common sense and respect and ensuring our asylum system is not abused. As I said, we must cut our thought according to measure. We want to be great people that can take everybody in. We cannot. And I do welcome the change, apparent change, since Minister Callaghan has taken up and yourself as a junior minister. I hope it will continue because it was just unbelievable the way things went on. As far as the asylums and IPAS centres then, my county has been ravaged, ravaged. It started in Roskway, right down into Dundrum, outside Tullis, right down to Kilcone Hotel, trying to be made one. It is not a fond memories of the minister. You said you were there as a page writer. Wedding years ago, you know how beautiful it is. Right-hand hotel in the centre of Clonmel and on the border of Carrickigan. They are the ones that we know of. Section 5, then, has been applied for in a number of places. It was turned down for Abbey House and Care. Thankfully, the County Council saw that these units could be used for Irish families. But in Dundrum, and there are three High Court cases, I will tell you, taking place of President Dundrum. And you know that, Minister. And your senior minister knows it. And your officials know it. Yet you granted the contract on the Section 5 given by South Tipperary County Council, which now is false and erroneous. They have conceded in the court that they erred and granted that Section 5. And I think that the Fire Officer, we were writing to the Chief Fire Officer for 12 months, ringing an email and calling him that he admitted at a meeting two weeks ago that he never visited the site once. That respect for the politicians and the public, so what's happening in Dundrum is shocking. You have in your own guidelines that you don't change the demographics any more than by 5%. And yet you are going to put in 277 IPAS people, and God bless them, and there are only 200 people in the village. The last census. It is outrageous what you are doing. You are making millionaires out of cowboys. Not interested in humanitarian needs, not interested in money. Mama has decided about myself and Dundrum, and indeed we are the same in Dundrum. Three court cases. The people that bought the place are suing as well, so they all have to weave their way through. And I am waiting now for a full report that Minister Callaghan promised to Deputy Ruffey and myself here that he would have as to how the contract was granted when there were so many issues around what was going on there. You have plundered and ravaged our country. You have disrespected the people. And it is time that you respected the people here. You are punched drunk going around the world. Especially the teacher who can tarnish the great people all over the world. Look after our Irish people. Respect them. Respect the constitution and the people who fought for it. We had an debate on the DPO here a few days ago. What is happening here is not any shock and outrageous. We have no social welfare inspector, as I have told. Two in Waterford City and South Tipperary. And people are flying in here every seven eight weeks, collecting copies amounts of money and then flying back out again. In the name of God, we are pure fools. And I ask to please respect the Irish people and our sovereignty in this country. Thank you. Thank you.