Fianna Fáil’s presidential candidate Jim Gavin has accepted that the State faces a specific “challenge” in integrating people who migrate here.
Mr Gavin has said there must be a “fair” and “robust” process in place for immigration into Ireland, but that policy on immigration is set by Government rather than the president of the country.
“The President can only shine a spotlight on the challenges of integration within society,” Mr Gavin said, speaking to the Irish Examiner at the Ploughing Championships in Offaly.
“I felt this myself when I’ve been the chair of the North East Inner City [taskforce] for the last few years. The population there is a historic part of Ireland … and yet it feels that there is a challenge that immigration poses to society.
“I’ve seen this upfront and I’ve been working the people of the North East Inner City to meet that challenge of integration.”
Mr Gavin said the best thing political leaders can do is to “listen” to people’s views on immigration.
“The best thing the President can do is listen to the people in the cities and villages and rural Ireland about how that immigration is happening and how we can manage that and integrate people into society.”
Mr Gavin said immigration has been “part of the island of Ireland for centuries”.
“For me, the immigrant community provide so much for our society. I think we all have experience in hospitals or nursing homes, the great work immigrants do.”
The former GAA manager secured the Fianna Fáil nomination last week, beating Cork MEP Billy Kelleher in an internal party contest.
Questioned on his thoughts about the Irish tricolour being used by some individuals to mark out areas where migrants aren’t welcome, Mr Gavin said he did not believe it should be used “for extremes”.
“The flag is very precious to me, I’m very sensitive on its use,” Mr Gavin said.
“I’m not a believer in extremes, either to the left or to the right. The primary role of Uachtarain na hÉireann is to protect our constitution. It’s very clear on our sovereignty, on our democracy, on our independence.
“We share the island with everybody from whatever one’s background is and the flag speaks to that.
“The centre of our flag is the white symbol of peace. The flag is a symbol of Ireland and a symbol of our Constitution.”
Meanwhile, a Fine Gael councillor in Offaly has insisted the council will not facilitate any candidate when the council meets next week to decide whether or not to nominate for the presidency.
Offaly is a key target council for Independent Gareth Sheridan, who needs the backing of two more local authorities.
Neil Feighery said it would depend on Fianna Fáil councillors as to whether or not they decide to block a candidate, describing them as the “kingmakers”.
He added that all five Fine Gael councillors would block the nomination of a candidate.
It comes as a Fine Gael councillor in Tipperary, Mary Hanna Hourigan, backed Mr Sheridan in a vote on Tuesday, which was crucial in getting him over the line.
Agriculture Minister Martin Heydon said any decision to sanction Ms Hanna Hourigan would be made by the Fine Gael executive council.