Leadership cannot afford to f iddle while the country burns

SINCE the Dublin riot, there has been a worrying absence of leadership on the issue that, whether the Government would like to believe it or not, is being discussed at every kitchen table around the country.

Ireland’s response to the invasion of Ukraine has been, to our credit, unprecedented in offering sanctuary to refugees fleeing Vladimir Putin’s immoral war.

However, the inept policy response from Government has led to a situation in which elements of the far right have been able to sow dissent and foment unrest in communities around the country, principally though misinformation spread on social media.

This was seen in all its horrific ugliness on the streets of Dublin on that November night but, since then, it also has taken hold elsewhere, such as in Rosscahill in Co. Galway, Ringsend in Dublin, and Fethard in Co. Wexford, to name just a few.

These events have all occurred while Official Ireland has been on its Christmas break, but the grim reality is that hate and cynical political exploitation have not taken a break. Instead, they have found fertile ground in the new and worrying trend of burning vacant properties.

The failure of Government to effectively communicate its intentions was this week bizarrely defended by Mary Hayes, the director of the Dublin Regional Homeless Executive, who suggested that no communication would have prevented the arson in Ringsend. This is codswallop.

Wherever there is immigration, the challenge for policy-makers is always to facilitate integration into the local community. And yes, where there is immigration in areas of social deprivation – where there can be a perceived battle for resources such as housing, GP services or just money in a cost-of-living crisis – there will likely be conflict.

We on this island surely know, though, that there is no conflict in the world that cannot be ameliorated by dialogue.

The very meaning of communication is to pass ideas from one person to another. This can only be helpful. Obviously, it requires discretion, but there is a network of local politicians and community leaders who can be engaged with to ensure that localities do not feel they are getting the raw end of an establishment deal.

To be clear, however, going around burning property does not bear any resemblance to political activism. It is against the law and against the orderly running of the State to allow it. Integration Minister Roderic O’Gorman, Justice Minister Helen McEntee, and Garda

Commissioner Drew Harris, wherever they are having their turkey or Christmas goose leftovers, should put the selection boxes down and demonstrate the kind of leadership that would reassure the rest of us compliant citizens that somebody is actually running the country.

Drew Harris is already without credibility after his insipid response to the riots in Dublin; Helen McEntee survived a motion of no confidence because of the naivety of the main opposition party; and Roderic O’Gorman has for some time seemed out of his depth on this issue.

The chickens are coming home to roost, chickens that this newspaper has long warned about. There are elections and a referendum around the corner that could provide fertile ground for a nascent far right to gain a foothold in our society, unless robust action is taken to inform, educate and reassure.