Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin
Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin | |
|---|---|
| Teachta Dála | |
| Assumed office November 2024 | |
| Constituency | Wicklow–Wexford |
| Personal details | |
| Political party | Sinn Féin |
Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin is an Irish Sinn Féin politician who has been a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Wicklow–Wexford constituency since the 2024 general election.[1] Ó Súilleabháin was previously a Wexford County Councillor between 2014 and 2024, with a base in Gorey.[2]
In June 2023 Ó Súilleabháin faced backlash from colleagues for his outspoken criticism of Ireland’s immigration policy. At a Wexford County Council meeting, Ó Súilleabháin raised concerns about the planned emergency migrant centre at Slaney Manor in Barntown, which was set to house up to 213 people. He highlighted local frustration with the lack of consultation or information about the project, suggesting this gap had led to misinformation and fear. Ó Súilleabháin expressed dissatisfaction with the current immigration process, particularly the Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IPAS), claiming that many of those arriving were economic migrants, not refugees fleeing war or persecution. Ó Súilleabháin suggested that 40% of people entering IPAS had no documents, contributing to a lack of transparency. He also criticised the government’s handling of the issue, suggesting that it had become a "cash cow" for businesses profiting from housing refugees. Ó Súilleabháin further described the system as "inhumane" and costly, calling for it to be phased out. His comments stirred discomfort among other councillors, with Independent councillor Mary Farrell defending the migrants as victims of war. Despite the criticism, Ó Súilleabháin maintained that fear of being labelled "far-right" or "racist" prevented a frank debate on immigration.[3]
References
[edit]- ^ "General Election 2024 Live Results – Wicklow–Wexford". RTÉ News. 1 December 2024. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
- ^ Colleran, Isabel (18 November 2024). ""People are crying out for change" – Sinn Féin's Fionntán Ó Suilleabháin on the mood of north Wexford". Wexford People. Retrieved 2 December 2024.
- ^ Byrne, Pádraig (16 June 2023). "Wexford Sinn Féin councillor blasts immigration policy – 'nobody will call it out for fear of being labelled racist'". Wexford People. Retrieved 2 December 2023.