Polish community reacts to Sinn Féin EU citizen register proposal: ‘It makes me feel incredibly disappointed’

By Kinga Neumann

The Polish community in Galway and Ireland has expressed disappointment and anxiety about a controversial Sinn Féin proposal that would introduce a registration requirement for EU citizens living in Ireland.

This proposal would require all EU citizens to register their presence in the country with a new Immigration Management Agency.  

Sinn Féin argues that their immigration plan will “safeguard the cohesion of society for all who call Ireland home, ensure fairness for local communities, offer decency and compassion to those fleeing persecution, and also commands public support.” 

Galway’s Polish community reacts

Galway Pulse spoke to Jakub, a Polish citizen who has been living in Ireland for over 18 years and is studying nursing in the University of Galway. 

Jakub feels that the presence of EU citizens, all of whom have an automatic right to work and reside in Ireland, is being used by Sinn Féin to “pander to this increasingly popular anti-immigration rhetoric.” 

“As a young Polish citizen that has lived and grown up in Ireland for the past 18 years, the EU citizen register proposal feels incredibly inflammatory.

“It gives leeway to the anti-immigrant rhetoric that has become so prominent within our communities.” 

“The aim of this rhetoric is to shift the blame for chronic public issues in Ireland such as the housing crisis, the trolley crisis in hospitals and the underfunding of public services onto immigrants.” 

Jakub emphasises the disappointment he feels as a student nurse working in the HSE. 

“As a student nurse I work with many colleagues from across the world who provide brilliant care.” 

This proposal, in his opinion “devalues a significant part of the population of Ireland, much of which has resided in this country for decades and has contributed significantly to its development.” 

“The EU citizen registration requirement has no real benefit”

Forum Polonia, an organisation which aims to promote, advocate for, and support the Polish community in Ireland has also reacted to the proposed policy.

The organisation has spoken out against the proposal and has called on Sinn Féin to withdraw the plan.

The secretary of Forum Polonia, Teresa Buczkowska believes that:

“The EU citizen registration requirement has no real benefit and will only place a financial and administrative burden on the Irish state and the Irish taxpayer.”

The organisation also argues that passport scanning at ports of entry and the PPS system is a sufficient method of gathering information about EU migration into Ireland.

Barnaba Dorda, the chair of Forum Polonia, added that “Sinn Féin’s proposal makes us feel unappreciated and anxious that the the welcoming attitude in Ireland is shifting in the opposite direction

“Ireland is our home and for 20 years we’ve collectively contributed to Ireland and our local communities as essential workers, taxpayers, artists, business owners, blood donors, neighbours and many more. 

“The integration of Poles into Irish society can only be presented as a positive story of migration.” 

For more information on Forum Polonia and their activities click here. 

Further information about Sinn Féin’s immigration proposals for GE24 can be found on their website.