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Bertie Ahern: Ex-Irish PM Clarifies Immigration Stance After Video Comments
The former taoiseach said Ireland should process asylum cases faster while rejecting criticism from Dublin Central bye-election rivals.
- Former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern faces backlash after a secretly recorded video surfaced last week showing him suggesting there are "too many" migrants entering Ireland, with specific concerns about Africans and Muslims.
- During a canvassing session for Fianna Fáil candidate John Stephens in Dublin Central, Ahern was challenged on immigration policy and reportedly claimed Ireland "can't be taking in people" without papers.
- Taoiseach Micheál Martin distanced Fianna Fáil from the remarks, calling them "not appropriate," while Doras condemned the comments as "vile and odious" and "misinformed."
- Ahern subsequently defended his position, insisting he has "no problem" with people using legal visa and asylum systems, claiming his frustration lies with processing speed rather than individuals.
- Immigration has become a major political issue in Ireland recently, with asylum seeker numbers rising to more than 18,500 annually as candidates navigate voter concerns regarding housing and border policies.
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'I’ve no problem with people from the Congo or Africa', Bertie Ahern says
It follows an online video appearing to show the former Fianna Fáil TD canvassing in Dublin, where he suggested there are 'too many' people coming into the country, saying he's worried about the 'next generation' of Muslims.
·Ireland
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources14
Leaning Left6Leaning Right0Center3Last UpdatedBias Distribution67% Left
Bias Distribution
- 67% of the sources lean Left
67% Left
L 67%
C 33%
Factuality
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