TD criticised for saying Irish people may become 'minority in our own country'

Irish Daily Mirror

08-07-2025

Independent Ireland TD Richard O'Donoghue has suggested that Irish people "could end up in a minority in years to come" as he called for a new president who would "protect" Irish culture.
The comments were made on the plinth in Leinster House amid questions from the media regarding the upcoming presidential election.
Mr O'Donoghue stated that Independent Ireland wanted to "have a presidential candidate that reflects this country, that will go out of this country and represent us outside this country".
He said: "Whether you're urban or rural and all the cultures of Ireland, we want someone that will represent our culture in this country, so that it's not obliterated.
"We welcome other cultures in here. We do that, and 100 per cent.
"But we also want to make sure the Irish culture is recognised and set in stone."
When asked by members of the media what he meant, Mr O'Donoghue said he has "no problem" with an "international candidate" once that person represents the country and "protects all culture, including the Irish culture".
He continued: "If it's somebody that's running from the north of Ireland, to me they're Irish.
"If it's somebody that's running internationally, once they want to protect our culture in this country and all the other cultures that come in here and enhance that, 100 per cent I'm behind it.
"Ireland has a great culture. You go to Australia, you go anywhere, they love the Irish and our culture.
"But what I want to make sure is that ours is protected here, regardless of what cultures come in here.
"We recognise all other people's cultures, as we do when we go to other countries, we recognise.
"I want our own protected."
Mr O'Donoghue said that when people travel abroad, they have to respect different rules and norms. He gave the example of Dubai and stated that you could not enter some mosques unless you were covered up.
He said that when people move to Ireland, they need to respect Irish culture in the same way, including religion.
Mr O'Donoghue said he "loves learning [about] other cultures", including food.
He said that communities are created when everyone shares their cultural standpoint and learns about one another.
However, he repeated that Irish culture "needs to be protected".
He stated that five million people live in Ireland currently, up from "2.9 million, three million."
Mr O'Donoghue continued: "That means the Irish people here could end up in a minority in years to come. So that's why I want our culture.
"By 2040, they want to increase this country to 10 million people. If we only had 3 million, and 10 million is the prediction for 2040, then you're a minority in our own country.
"We're not going to produce 7 million people in this country ourselves, are we?. Then we become a minority in our own country.
"Protect all cultures. Protect our own and we can all live together happily and gracefully."
Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon branded the comments as "pathetic", while his colleague Jennifer Whitmore branded them "ridiculous" and "untrue".
She said: "Irish people are not at risk.
"Our culture is strong and part of our culture is being inclusive and welcoming people in the same way that we expected other nations to look after us when we needed to go overseas.
"I think to have a public representative saying something like that, I think it is very concerning."