‘Migrants contribute enormously to Kilkenny’ - New campaign to highlight positives of immigration

As Labour launches the Together We Thrive campaign highlighting the contribution of migrants make across Ireland, Kilkenny City Labour Councillor Seán Ó hArgáin has said that migrants are a vital part of life in Kilkenny and warned that political leaders must confront the spread of misinformation and racism.

“As we celebrate our most famous immigrant this week and the immense cultural legacy St Patrick brought to Ireland, despite effectively being trafficked to our shores, we must reflect on its modern-day message,” he said.

“Across Kilkenny we see every day how migrants strengthen our communities, our local businesses and our public services. People who have chosen to build their lives in Kilkenny are our neighbours, our colleagues and our friends.”

“They are working in our hospitals and care services, running businesses and contributing enormously to the local economy and community life. In Kilkenny, like across the country, sectors such as healthcare, hospitality, retail and childcare would grind to a halt without the contribution of people who have come here to work, study and raise families,” he added.

The Together We Thrive campaign will run for the next three weeks and feature real-life stories of immigrants to Ireland from Ukraine, Syria and India.

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In an increasingly polarised climate regarding immigration in Ireland and Europe as a whole, some Labour politicians have criticised what they say is a lack of action from government ministers to right-wing anti-immigration rhetoric, something the campaign is aiming to combat.

“We’re witnessing a worrying rise in anti-migrant sentiment fuelled by misinformation and amplified by far-right voices. I have heard from families, who have chosen to make Kilkenny their home, are now facing hostility and racism that has absolutely no place in our community,” Cllr Ó hArgaín outlined.

“What is most concerning is the silence from Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael. Instead of confronting the lies being spread about migrants, they have allowed misinformation to spread unchecked.”

“Political leadership means standing up for facts, human rights and the values that define our communities. The truth is simple; migrants contribute enormously to Kilkenny. They enrich our culture, they strengthen our economy and they play a critical role in our public services.”

“The people who come here seeking opportunity and safety deserve respect and solidarity, not division. Our community in Kilkenny has always been strongest when we stand together. We should be proud that people from across the world choose to live, work and raise their families here,” he concluded.

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