A Fianna Fáil senator accused of inciting hatred against immigrant taxi drivers in Ireland has spoken of his regret over the incident.
A Fianna Fáil senator accused of inciting hatred against immigrant taxi drivers in Ireland has spoken of his regret over the incident.
In an interview with Metro Éireann, Senator Paschal Mooney took the opportunity to apologise for his comments, which he described as “offensive, unacceptable and very stupid” and “completely at odds with my instincts and feelings”.
Senator Mooney said that he was attempting to highlight a particular problem with taxi drivers in Dublin who have difficulty with their routes, but that he should not have singled out immigrants when he said that he would not be taking any taxis driven by “non-nationals”, as he put it.
Asked if he would be using, and advising Irish passengers to continue to use, taxis being driven by immigrants going forward, Senator Mooney said: “Yes… frankly, I don’t really care who drives taxis.”
Citing his work in the area of human rights, and the diversity that exists in his extended family, he reiterated that his comments were “very, very regretful”.
The senator for Sligo-North Leitrim said that he has spent his “entire [political] career promoting human rights”, adding that he was the first Irishman elected chair of the human rights sub-committee as an Irish delegate to Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly from 2002 to 2008.
“I and my own party embrace multiculturalism and welcome all those [who have come to live in Ireland],” he added.
Several migrant support groups condemned the politician for his remarks last week, with the Irish Network Against Racism (Enar Ireland) branding his statement as “appalling”.
Enar Ireland director Catherine Lynch said: “Senator Mooney’s comments come at a time when racism is a serious issue for taxi drivers, threatening their safety and ability to earn a living.”
She added that the network “calls on the Government to enact more effective legislation against racism, as well as review the existing incitement to hatred legislation.
“The fact that some politicians continue to make discriminatory comments about ethnic minorities is further evidence of the lack of awareness or adequacy of the legislation.”
Lynch said that any failure to do so could lead to “a clear rise in extremism” as seen in other European countries such as Greece.
Meanwhile, an immigrant peace commissioner in Westmeath is offering free diversity training to the senator.
“I would be happy to meet Senator Mooney and will try my best to educate him about what is acceptable to say in public and what is damaging to his own party,” said Rashid Butt who is also chairman of the Westmeath Immigrants Network (Win).
Butt explained that his decision to help the senator is based on a saying in his Pakistani native language Urdu that says “It’s better to have a wise enemy than a foolish friend.”
- The Justice Minister has said he has no plans to introduce new legislation against hate crimes in light of incidents such as Senator Mooney’s comments.
Responding to a Dáil question from Deputy Niall Collins about whether the Government has any plans to review the 1989 Incitement to Hatred Act, Minister Alan Shatter said: “In all the circumstances, I have no plans, at present, for legislative initiatives in relation to hate crime.
“However, more generally, the Government is committed to a strategic review of penal policy. This review is underway and will include an examination of sentencing.”
