Time for a zero refugee policy? - *Read OP for mod warnings and threadbans - updated 11/5/24*

I remember there being figures reported a few years ago, at the time when the media was interested on policy, I’d imagine that overlaps with the resources you are referencing but they are outdated and, as I say, media interest has waned significantly. I suspect the figures are published in Danish but unless you speak Danish they would be difficult to find.

we've just had the garda helicopter fly over a rural village for 2 hours to monitor a peaceful protest with approx 200 people, there are water cannons nearby and the mounted unit are also in the area. Thats on top of a garda presence that has never been seen in this town before. All because the government are trying to bulldoze through an unpopular and very wrong development.

This policing is costing a fortune, in the flipside, I have a friend who is on a waiting list to get a lump checked, no date, just waiting to get an appointment to be seen. So, to say I'm a bit pissed about the money be wasted on this bullshit is an understatement.

"Simon harris doesn't care who is outside your door, he only cares about who is outside his door."

Just as an aside, I think Donnelly is getting to grips with Health. He’s analytical and so we’re finally getting facts and figures on individual hospitals’ performance. And for example, he’s chasing down where the 50m went which was supposed to speed up scoliosis operations.

Agree and to add to that Michael Martin has weighed in with a critical comment and there was a leak from the parliamentary party meeting over McEntees performance.

If locals and Europeans are bad I think they will pull the plug.

https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/1m-legal-bill-after-pamela-and-girls-finally-deported/26753400.html

I remember this case well. One of many and there were plenty of bleeding hearts nice people who tried every conceivable angle to get her to remain even after it was proven she was a liar and using forged documents.

the dogs on the street know we're at capacity. FG have forgotten how to listen to the electorate and now only listen to media advisers and people who have skin in the game.

They'll buy and fill empty houses if they have to. They're already doing it.

but what about if some of these people can actually work? Build houses, be nurses, teach?

apply through the proper work visa system. Anyone arriving here without id or papers should be treated with absolute skepticism. We're being taken for fools due to our good nature and always taking people at face value.

More waste of our money

No mention of the protest on the VM news at 5:30, funny that.

I don't think it's a waste of money. Let's not kid ourselves there are some absolute nutters out there and nobody should be threatened doing their jobs especially at their homes.

I agree that people ought to be left do their job - if they are capable of doing it.

It's the scum parties and ex Taoiseach who allowed a silly child to be in the most important job in the country right now who bear the blame for the 30 second protest outside Harris's house.

I hope your friend gets looked after quickly. I attend four different public clinics in a major Dublin hospital every few weeks/months and I have observed a significant increase in middle-aged and older immigrants attending the clinics, many of them don't have any English and might bring a family member or two to assist with translation etc. The waiting time can be up to 5 or 6 hours (it used to be 3) just to see a doctor.

The health system could barely cope since I've been attending hospitals for various conditions, which was around 2003, just before Harney came in.

Someone just mentioned Donnelly is analytical, well according to the CSO Ireland's population grew by nearly 100,000 in 2023, of that 81,000 were non EU/UK citizens including 42k Ukrainians. Has Donnelly used his analytical skills to put resources in place to deal with this influx. Obviously, a good cohort of the immigrants will not require hospital services yet, but primary care, yes that concept successive Ministers for Health were heralding as the solution to all problems in the system, is on its knees. You can't get a doctor's appointment in Dublin. My own GP just refers patients to A&E now as there are no appointments available, even the out of hours service is under severe pressure.

We all heard about the massive problems Limerick University Hospital is experiencing, and not a word from Donnelly on how it is to be managed. I'd be terrified bringing a family member to the A&E there given recent reports.

How is Donnelly going to manage with a massive increase in population, Irish nurses leaving in their droves and an ageing population especially when the Government pick numbers out if the air like McEntee's 80% claim regarding asylum seeker numbers from the North. I'd say they haven't a clue how many people are coming in. How they are going to plan to build the infrastructure that is needed to keep the lights on in the health service nevermind resourcing Model 4 hospitals or 'Centres of Excellence'.

This is just one consequence of the increase in population and it's an absolute mess. More immigrants are landing in the country each day, and there seems to be no end in sight. Of course, the more immigrants that arrive, the more staff will be required to service our health system and other services. It's like a catch-22 situation.

It is very challenging to remain optimistic for the future of this country, I simply don't have any faith in the government's or opposition's ability to solve our problems.