Ireland has a housing crisis, “not an immigration crisis”, People Before Profit has said.
In a statement, the party said that the “mainstream media are getting excited” by claiming that “the real issue” in the upcoming European and local elections is “immigration.”
“Yet the polls also tell us something else: The most important issue concerning people is the housing crisis,” the party said.
They added that it was “no wonder” that this is the case, given that Ireland has “some of the dearest rents in Europe”, an average 12-year wait to get a council house or apartment in Dublin; and significant levels of youth emigration.
“This is a real crisis caused by the policies of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael…No wonder these parties like the fact that working people blame immigrants for the housing crisis – not themselves.”
The party said that the blame for this situation was “the privileged elite” and “the rich”, and that it was a “lie” to say that “asylum seekers are getting houses before the Irish.”
“Truth: [asylum seekers] are not allowed to even go on the housing list,” they said.
They also added that it was a “lie” to claim that “foreigners are getting houses before the Irish”.
“Truth: There is no preferential treatment for nationality,” the party said.
“Everyone is suffering because of the lack of housing. Sometimes councils will not put you on the housing list if you are not working here for at least 12 months.”
The party said that “people are right to be angry”, but that “those who are really responsible” for the situation should be blamed.
Notably, People Before Profit’s ‘Racism and Immigration’ policy calls for a variety of policies, including that Europe should “open its borders”.
“Europe should open its borders,” the party website reads.
“With 500 million people, Europe can easily cope with two million refugees. Europe should open its borders and Ireland has a duty to welcome its share of refugees from war, oppression, persecution and other inhuman conditions.”
The party has also called to “end deportations”.
“End Deportations – Legalise Undocumented Migrants,” the party says.
“We are for the normalisation (i.e. ’legalisation’) of undocumented migrants here in Ireland…We oppose all deportations either from Ireland or the USA.”
The party has also advocated giving migrants voting rights in elections and referendums.
“Integrate Migrants – Give them Voting Rights: People Before Profit supports the right of all residents to vote in elections and referendums after a suitable period of residency,” the policy reads.
“We believe everyone should be able to have their say regardless of race or citizenship.”
The party strongly advocates for hate speech legislation, and says that “in terms of the far-right,” they will “oppose them on the streets if necessary”.
“No platform for fascists – People Before Profit opposes any opportunity for fascists and hard-right groups to spread their hatred,” they say.
“We will oppose them on the streets if necessary and stop them from spreading their message in any way we can.
“We stand with groups like Black Lives Matter in opposing police violence and racism.”