Stagg urges Lenihan to withdraw racist comments

national | rights, freedoms and repression | press release Wednesday May 18, 2005 13:47 by caf - labour

Statement by Emmet Stagg TD, Labour Party Chief Whip

Labour calls on Fianna Fail TD Conor Lenihan to apologise for the offensive and racist comments directed at Joe Higgins in the Dail.

The Taoiseach must immediately direct the Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Conor Lenihan, to come into the Dail and to apologise to the House for the offensive and racist comment he directed at Deputy Joe Higgins this morning.

Such a remark would have been unworthy of any member of the House but it is particularly unacceptable from a member who has been appointed by the Taoiseach to have responsibility for overseas development aid.

Deputy Higgins is entitled to praise rather than abuse for the manner in which he has helped to highlight the exploitation of Gama workers, which is in stark contrast to the indifference to the treatment shown by Minister Lenihan and his colleagues.

If this remark is allowed to remain on the record, it will reflect negatively on our national parliament. The Taoiseach should be decisive for once in his political life and insist on a full and unequivocal apology from Minister Lenihan.