Photograph: Chris Maddaloni/The Irish TimesTánaiste Simon Harris has landed in hot water in recent weeks after comments linking homelessness to immigration. Opposition politicians called for Harris to withdraw the comments, with Sinn Féin’s Eoin Ó Broin arguing that conflating homelessness and immigration was “dishonest” and “dangerous”. While this may mirror trends, it has also left Harris open to Opposition criticism including a claim of “dog-whistling” to the far right. Later that month, as taoiseach, Harris told a Dáil debate on the pact: “Ireland benefits from immigration. His remarks “reflect the reality that higher levels of inward migration – across all categories – place additional strain on an already constrained housing system”, he said.

Source: The Irish Times January 16, 2026 07:32 UTC