Latest news with #RichardO'Donoghue
Agriland
09-08-2025
- Politics
- Agriland
TD: Forgotten Farmer scheme 'excludes many it was meant to help'
Independent Ireland TD Richard O'Donoghue has written to the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon to highlight "serious flaws" in the new Forgotten Farmer scheme. Deputy O'Donoghue warned that the current criteria for the scheme will 'once again exclude many of the very farmers it was meant to help". The TD believes that while the introduction of the scheme was intended to address a long-standing injustice, overly restrictive conditions and a rushed application process mean it risks repeating the same mistakes of the past. He said: "The idea of the Forgotten Farmer scheme was to give fair treatment to those who missed out on vital entitlements and supports. 'But the way it has been designed means that farmers who started in 2008, 2009, 2010 and thereafter – who also never received payments or installation aid – are still being shut out. They have been forgotten twice," Deputy O'Donoghue added. Deputy O'Donoghue also criticised the 'no older than 40 in 2015' age limit, pointing out that it penalises farmers who started later in life but are still genuine cases. 'The reality on the ground is that some people enter farming later for family or economic reasons, but they are still building a future in agriculture. They deserve to be included,' he said. The Limerick County TD added that the three-week application window – during peak summer holiday season – is 'farcical' and is preventing many eligible farmers from applying. He said: 'Farmers can't get the required paperwork from accountants, solicitors or agricultural colleges when they are closed or on holidays, and even when they have everything in place, they are facing issues. This needs an urgent fix and an extension to the deadline. Deputy O'Donoghue called on Minister Heydon to "widen" the eligibility criteria to cover all genuine forgotten farmers, extend the application deadline well beyond the summer holiday period, and to ensure the process is accessible and realistic for farmers and their advisors. 'If we want to encourage the next generation into farming, we have to start by rectifying the injustices faced by previous generations. This scheme should be about fairness and inclusion – not about creating a new group of forgotten farmers,' Deputy O'Donoghue said.
Irish Examiner
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Irish Examiner
Independent Ireland TD under fire for 'fuelling racism' with comments on 'protecting' Irish culture
An Independent Ireland TD has been lambasted for comments that Irish people could become a 'minority' in the years ahead, with some describing the comments as a 'dog whistle'. Limerick TD Richard O'Donoghue was speaking in reference to the upcoming presidential election, when asked who Independent Ireland might support as a candidate. 'We want someone who will represent our culture in this country, that it's not obliterated,' Mr O'Donoghue said. 'We welcome other cultures in here, we do that 100%. But we also want to make sure the Irish culture is recognised and set in stone for the future.' Pressed on what he meant, Mr O'Donoghue referred to Irish people respecting the cultures of other countries when they travel abroad. My son and his girlfriend went to Dubai, and the culture out there is that you cannot enter one of their mosques or whatever unless you are covered up...I want us protected the same way as we recognise other people's culture when we go to their country. The comments were branded as a 'dog whistle' and 'untrue' by other opposition TDs, with the Social Democrat's Jennifer Whitmore rejecting them outright. 'It's fuelling racism, it's fuelling misinformation. It's fuelling a narrative out there that people are coming into this country and are not contributing, which is wrong,' Ms Whitmore said. Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon described Mr O'Donoghue's comments as 'pathetic', while Rory Hearne said his comments were 'dangerous'. We're seeing the real rise of the far right and sowing of division in communities, particularly around the housing issue. These comments have very real impacts in communities. People Before Profit's Paul Murphy said it was 'dog whistling' by Independent Ireland, saying the comments were inappropriate. When contacted by the Irish Examiner, Mr O'Donoghue doubled down on his comments around Irish people becoming the minority, saying it could happen by 2050. He cited comments from then president of DCU Ferdinand von Prondzynski, who made the claim in 2005. Mr von Prondzynski cited unpublished UK-based research at the time, which was not identified. However, Mr O'Donoghue rejected any assertions by the opposition that he was a racist. "Under no circumstances am I a racist. I'm actually the opposite," Mr O'Donoghue said.
Irish Independent
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Irish Independent
TDs criticise ‘dog whistling' comments by Limerick TD
Independent Ireland TD Richard O'Donoghue said Irish people will soon be a minority in Ireland due to rising population. He was speaking about who the party may back as a presidential candidate, saying he wants somebody who will respect Irish culture but also that of other people coming to Ireland. He said he has 'no problem with an international candidate if they represent Ireland'. 'I want our own protected and I want a person that's coming out of here that embraces all cultures but also makes sure that the Irish culture is protected,' he said. He pointed to the population of Ireland and said: 'The Irish people here could be a minority in the years to come. That's why I want to have our cultures protected. 'I want a community that recognises everyone's culture but they're also protected, whether you're here from a different country, you're entitled to have your culture protected here. But also we're entitled to have ours protected as well to ensure it is not forgotten. 'The Irish people could end up being a minority in the years to come.' He said predictions show 10 million people will be living in Ireland by 2040 and how the population has increased in recent years from three million to five million people. 'Then you're a minority in your own country because you're not going to produce seven million people in this country,' he said. 'So then we become a minority in our country. So that's what I'm [saying], protect all cultures, protect our own and we can all live together happily.' ADVERTISEMENT But the comments by the Limerick TD were slammed by opposition TDs who spoke on the plinth at Leinster House afterwards. 'I think it's dog whistling by Independent Ireland, which is not new, it's their stock and trade. I think most people consider that our culture is enriched by people coming here from other countries, from other backgrounds,' said People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy. Social Democrat TD Jennifer Whitmore said it is a 'ridiculous comment' which 'fuels racism' and 'fuels misinformation'. 'Our culture is strong and a part of our culture is being inclusive and welcoming people, the same way when we expect other nations to look after us when we need to go overseas,' she said. 'To have a public representative saying something like that is very concerning.' Her party colleague TD Rory Hearne said they were 'dangerous' comments. Independent Ireland party leader Cork TD Michael Collins said the party has met with people who are seeking a nomination for the presidential election and the party wants to back a candidate. He said these people hold 'strong positions in the country'. 'Independent Ireland will not be running an Independent Ireland candidate, we wouldn't have the finances,' he said. 'There's no point talking to dreamers. Some people have decided they want to hold a presidency but they can't even hold a council seat.'
Irish Daily Mirror
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Irish Daily Mirror
TD criticised for saying Irish people may become 'minority in our own country'
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."
The Journal
08-07-2025
- Politics
- The Journal
Independent Ireland TD accused of 'dog whistle' population claim about 'minority' Irish
A LIMERICK TD has been heavily criticised for comments he made arguing that Irish people risk becoming a 'minority' in Ireland. Independent Ireland TD Richard O'Donoghue made the comments on the plinth at Leinster House today in the context of the presidential election. His claim that 'Irish people here could end up being a minority in years to come' has been branded a 'dog whistle' and 'dangerous' by other TDs. O'Donoghue stated that his party wants to support a candidate for the forthcoming presidential election who 'supports our culture in this country, that it's not obliterated'. 'We welcome other cultures in here, and we do that 100%, but we also want to make sure the Irish culture is recognised and set in stone for the future,' he said. O'Donoghue added: 'Once they want to protect our culture in this country and all the other cultures that come in here and enhance that, 100% I'm behind them. But I also want to make sure that the cultures are protected into the future.' Asked by The Journal what he means by 'protect our culture', O'Donoghue said that when he visits other countries he respects the culture there, giving Dubai as an example. 'When you come to this country here, you also have to respect our own cultures that we have in our country ourselves. And respect our religion, if you have a religion. And if you have none, that's fine too, but you have to work with those people. 'But if there is cultures in this country, I want those protected the same way as we recognise other people's cultures when we go to their country,' he said. Advertisement He then added that as a result of population rise, 'Irish people here could end up being a minority in years to come'. 'So that's why I want our culture protected,' he said. Reacting to O'Donoghue's remarks, Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore said the comment about Irish people becoming a minority was 'ridiculous' and 'untrue'. 'It's really important that we call out narratives like that,' the Wicklow TD said. 'Our culture is strong and part of our culture is being inclusive and welcoming, the same way that we expected other nations to look after us when we needed to go overseas.' She added: 'To have a public representative say something like that is concerning. I think it is very concerning because public representatives have a responsibility to show leadership in this regard and not feed any of the misinformation that's out there.' Debunked: Data contradicts McGregor's White House claim that Irish are a minority in some towns > Fellow Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne added that the comments were 'dangerous' and could 'fuel racism'. 'We're seeing the real rise of the far right, the sowing of division in communities, and particularly around the housing issue. These comments have very real impacts in communities, and particularly on new communities and people of colour. 'We're seeing a rise in racist graffiti. We're seeing a rise in attacks, and it's deeply worrying the social division that this is spreading. And the reality is it's just not true,' Hearne said. Similarly, People Before Profit Solidarity TD Paul Murphy branded O'Donoghue's comment about Irish people becoming a minority a 'dog whistle'. Fellow People Before Profit Solidarity TD Ruth Coppinger that there is 'misinformation constantly' from some right wing TDs in the Dáil. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
