Bertie Ahern comments on immigration ‘not appropriate’, Taoiseach says

Views on immigration expressed by former Fianna Fail leader Bertie Ahern are not shared by the party, the Taoiseach has said.

A social media video showing Mr Ahern discussing immigration has circulated in recent days.

He had been canvassing for the party’s Dublin Central by-election candidate Councillor John Stephens.

The video shows a constituent criticising Fianna Fail and other parties over immigration.

At one point Mr Ahern, who has said the minutes-long video was recorded without his knowledge, comments that he thinks there “are too many coming in” and “the ones I’m worried about is the Africans”, adding: “We can’t be taking in people from the Congo and those places.”

He says he has “no problem with the Ukrainians”.

In response to a question from the constituent on Muslims, he says: “I don’t worry about this generation of Muslims, the next generation – the kids are growing up – that’s where I think the problem will be.”

Asked on Wednesday if the views expressed match those of Fianna Fail and Mr Stephens, Taoiseach Micheal Martin said: “They’re not – I think it’s unfair to extrapolate that and to suggest that.”

Mr Martin said the comments came as part of an “exchange” on the doorsteps.

He said: “As far as we are concerned, I think it’s not appropriate, in my view, to sort of be specific about any given ethnicity.

“That’s not, in my view, correct or proper. I think we have to respect people.

“We have many different ethnicities in Ireland, many Irish citizens with different ethnic backgrounds, and that has to be respected.”

Mr Martin said there was a broader migration storry where immigrants on work permits played a “very valuable part” in the economy.

RTE reports that Mr Ahern said he supports the views of Fianna Fail’s Jim O’Callaghan, the Justice Minister, on immigration and that the asylum process should be quicker.

He also told the broadcaster that he has “no problem” with people who come through visa and asylum systems.

Mr Martin said: “We have a fair and robust asylum system, and Minister O’Callaghan has brought in significant reforms to make sure that we have an efficient and accelerated process, where if people are coming in to apply for asylum, that they’re dealt with on in a relatively timely manner – and that the appeals then are dealt with also.”

The Taoiseach added: “Because what’s evident from the statistics is quite a number do not achieve asylum status – and I think one of the big problems in the past was that the process went on for years and it went on too long.”