For the latest news go here http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2015/09/austrian-aid-convoy-heads-hungary-refugees-150906142209841.html
CITIZENS across Ireland are "pledging a bed" in their homes to house refugees fleeing war and conflict as the Irish Government comes under increasing criticism for not doing enough to deal with Europe's refugee crisis.
In a campaign initiated by UpLift Ireland, hundreds of people from across the island have signed a pledge to take refugees into their own homes.
UpLift Founding Director Siobhán O'Donoghue said translating public anger into action is vital in order to force political leaders to respond to the crisis:
"The massive response from people across the country really shows up our Government's inaction. We need Taoiseach Enda Kenny to step up and agree to welcome more refugees into Ireland".
UpLift is also holding a number of solidarity demonstrations across the country as well as calling on the public to donate to front-line charities working with refugees.
The public reaction came as the Irish Government continues to be non-committal as to how many refugees it would take although Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald told radio stations on Friday that the Irish Government would certainly increase the number of refugees it would accept from 600 to "thousands".
In the North, Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness of Sinn Féin (pictured) said most people in the North of Ireland "would gladly welcome any moves to allow more refugees to come here."
Accepting refugees in the North of Ireland usually requires cooperation with the British Government, but the Deputy First Minister said he was looking into ways of taking unilateral action if moves by Britain's Conservative Government is not forthcoming:
"My Department has already been exploring the feasibility of how we can do that," he said, but added that cooperation with David Cameron's Government would be the "most effective" way.
© MARK MOLONEY
• Find out more or pledge a bed HERE
Currently more than 12,000 people in Ireland have pledged beds to the refugees.
The Pledge a bed is a great idea! Well done to all involved. My dad has spoken over the years of how refugees came to Ireland after WW2 when he was a lad. I think back to then and how much more informed we are with social media and other media channels. Also how many disasters we have seen in our lifetime. I then start to wonder why are we are slow to react, slow to care. Do we think that we are better than others? What would we like if it was happening to us? Don't we all deserve a chance? I live in Australia and we have the term "boat people". People who risk their lives coming to Australia in the hope of freedom and a better life. These boats are met in the open waters and the occupants are taken to Australian Immigration Detention camps such as Manus Island Papau New Guinea. A limbo rather than help. Makes me sad!
ReplyDeleteThank you for informing us about Australia Grace. It really is a prime and horrendous example of how the PM of such a large continent can be so bitter and twisted, makes me wonder what his childhood was like?
DeleteThe inaction of our government has been totally disgusting. Cameron has finally said that we will take some refugees but of course he has put some conditions in that make it harder to come to the UK than elsewhere. At this moment I am totally ashamed of our government, it is not acting on behalf of the majority of us who would welcome the refugees with open arms, but they are giving the UK a very bad name across the EU. I don't actually have a bed that I could pledge but I am happy to give what ever it can to help these poor people settle in to safe and secure new lives xxx
ReplyDeleteHello Fran.
DeleteCameron and our man Kenny are very alike in a lot of ways. Both are right wing, shallow human beings who enjoy the limelight and who give not an iota for anyone who is in need, unless there is a few bob to be made out of peoples suffering, they wouldn't spend christmas.
The party who do care are Sinn Féin (shown above) and for their efforts they are slated and almost continuously attacked by the ne'er-do-wells.
Thank you Mel,
ReplyDeleteThis is very encouraging to read! I love people taking action and welcoming the people looking for refuge in these challenging times.
Big hug to you both
Birgit H
Birgit, I think it is wonderful what Germany is doing for the refugees, by giving people a home, a safe country to live in and with people who will nurture them.
DeleteA great example for the rest of the EU to copy.
It is heartening to see that bit by bit our countries are beginning to see sense.
ReplyDeleteYes Pat, I hope very much that all of the EU politicians will eventually become infected with common sense !
DeleteGreat news, Mel! The Dutch government is being a bit silent on the subject. I'm not too sure how the people feel either. Rotterdam has a very high percentage of immigrants, so I don't imagine they would object and they are the people among whom I live. I don't know how the rest of middle Holland feels, though. I'm just glad the tide is turning and these poor souls are being helped!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your contribution Val. I think individual countries will react differently depending upon their demographics and the birth rate. Some countries actually need more people than they have at present. There is more to it than just assisting the desperate people in finding somewhere to live.......
DeleteRe my reply above.
DeleteI think that I need to explain that we have to consider other factors when working with Refugees. I know that our great enthusiasm to assist, has to go beyond that of a knee jerk reaction. Every country has to set up a social support system for the newcomer to properly introduce them to the national characteristics. For example: the French way, the German way, the Irish way or English way, we are all a bit different in our outlook on life. So we have to teach and assist the newcomers to adapt, so that they are enabled to fully integrate with our individual culture.