Blimey. It’s like Sinn Féin wants to have their pan-Irish cake whilst tucking into it. They stand firmly opposed to open borders, although one could argue that their doctrine on this matter appears vein-like, with a fair bit of permeability.
But don’t just take our word on it; it’s in black and white on their election leaflets. “The Government lacks an immigration strategy. Their handling has been chaotic. Sinn Féin stands against open borders – Ireland, similar to all nations, needs to control its perimeters.”
The words initiating the ‘Immigration’ section on their local election pamphlets are highlighted in reversed type. Now, what’s their take on the open border between Northern Ireland and the remaining 26 counties? Does Sinn Féin oppose that as well? And how do they view the Common Travel Area shared by Ireland and the UK?
They make their opposition to open borders so clear that their social security spokesperson, Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire, reinforced this viewpoint in a video filmed in front of Leinster House. Yet, their concern doesn’t entail closing the borders or even regulation. It’s simply about objection. It’s a statement that yields no action but sounds just right, reads beautifully, and attracts the swelling voter base that poses complicated immigration questions to election candidates.
These voters raise concerns about the significant number of migrants who make the weekly journey into Ireland, the majority hailing from Northern Ireland and openly crossing borders. Or maybe not? But does it matter if Sinn Féin doesn’t acknowledge the border in the first place?
These questions certainly puzzled the Taoiseach upon the Dáil’s reconvening on Wednesday. For as long as anyone could recall, Sinn Féin’s stance on borders had been crystal clear. The uncertainty only surfaced when the Taoiseach found himself debriefing the Government’s approach to housing asylum seekers and addressing Dublin’s burgeoning “tent cities” along the Grand Canal, situated near the International Protection Office.
Addressing Sinn Féin’s Mary Lou McDonald, Labour’s Ivana Bacik, the Social Democrats’ Jennifer Whitmore and Rural Independent Mattie McGrath, Simon Harris assured that he resolved the issue of the initial encampment removed in the previous week and would do the same for the newest one.
“I’m obliged to forewarn you – we are tackling the issue of the Grand Canal. Measures will be put into action.” Nonetheless, he stressed the need for “an expansive dialogue” on the matter of immigration. “If the singular focus is only on providing lodging facilities, it will lead us to a point where we’ll arrange for more shelters and those shelters will instantly be occupied.” He pleaded for a candid conversation as certain groups in the Dáil have begun expressing their “disapproval of unrestricted borders”.
He questioned which specific open border in Ireland does the Sinn Féin leader want to shut because the topic never arose during his recent visit to Belfast. Mary Lou McDonald seemed puzzled. The Taoiseach notified her that her party’s municipal election candidates “are circulating pamphlets assuring that the open-border policy will cease”. “Actually, they aren’t,” contradicted Mary Lou. Simon sought an interpretation of the leaflets content from her, as he was clueless about it. The MP for Cork South Central was outraged. He felt the need to rectify the ‘factually incorrect’ assertion about the leaflets’ content. Mary Lou’s teammate, Donnchadh Ó Laoighaire, confirmed her statement that Sinn Féin’s pledge does not include ending the open-border policy. “This is the truth,” vociferously confirmed Aodhán Ó Riordáin from Labour.
The Taoiseach amplified his claim, pointing to Donnchadh and referring to his video in which he claimed his party opposed the open-border policy. The Cork South Central MP was extremely upset and insisted on rectifying the ‘factually incorrect’ claim about the leaflets’ content. Amidst the tumultuous exchanges in the Dáil, Simon Harris eagerly expressed his anticipation for a discussion about the non-existing policy for open-doors. However, he was interrupted before he could state that it is the one which lies on the Irish island between the six and 26 counties.
A loud argument ensued between Donnchadh, who rejects the claim that Sinn Féin’s leaflet recommends sealing open borders, and Aodhán, who has seen the leaflets. “My apologies, but I’m confused about the current scenario,” confessed Simon, genuinely perplexed. “Even other Opposition members consider this to be truthful.”
The Ceann Comhairle stepped in, admonishing Ó Laoghaire for his unruly behaviour by questioning the Taoiseach’s truthfulness. “You shouldn’t be spreading untruths,” responded the Sinn Féin representative with visible agitation.
Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien, keen on a verbal duel, advised the man to reflect upon his own performance in a recent video. “You’re seen in that video,” the Taoiseach pointed out triumphantly. “You’re there, standing on the outside of the plinth,” added Darragh amidst protests from Donnchadh.
“And was it, perchance, an AI creation?”
Regardless of the video content, which echoed his pamphlets, Ó Laoghaire aimed to emphasise that the Taoiseach was wrong in claiming Sinn Féin candidates were distributing material committing to “end open borders”.
In the controversial video, deputy Ó Laoghaire maintains, ‘Sinn Féin doesn’t back open borders. Instead, it supports a just, effective, and rigid immigration system that honours the rights of refugees.’
Irrespective of the echoing message in the literature, Taoiseach Harris agreed to rephrase his allegation, stating, “The Sinn Féin deputy seen alongside deputy McDonald in a video on the plinth supports the closing of open borders.”
“This is false!” Mary Lou objected. “It’s not true!” echoed Donnchadh. Although they were technically correct, the Taoiseach made a broader point, accusing Sinn Féin of “manipulating people’s deepest fears” and wanting clarity on which open Irish borders the party refers.
Again, in the video, deputy Ó Laoghaire details, “Sinn Féin is against open borders, advocating for an efficient, fair, and strictly regulated immigration system that respects the human rights of those escaping conflict and persecution.”
And where was this video? Posted on Facebook a few weeks ago, drawing mostly comments like: “Why did it take so long?” with a hint of scepticism towards the reversal in open border policy. Some even alleged, “You’ve changed your tune since you realized people are against it”, which elicited responses from Sinn Féin Ireland.
In an unequivocal statement, Mary Lou McDonald asserted at the party’s local and European election kick-off in Dublin, “It’s incorrect to claim that Sinn Féin supports an open border policy.” This stance, she confirmed, is nothing new, having been a consistent message in campaign manifestos, on social media, in public forums, and within Dáil debate halls for many years.
Simon Harris, in the Dáil, had questions about the ambiguity of this long-held principle. A minor debate ensued which came to a conclusion upon the calling of a vote. Following this, an exchange between the Taoiseach and Donnchadh in the centre of the Dáil ensued. While the details of the conversation weren’t disclosed, a safe assumption would be that the two couldn’t find common ground.