Today's plenary meeting is an important opportunity for us all to stand together and condemn the horrendous images and the attacks that we have seen on our migrant communities over the past number of days. We have to show leadership and ensure that they know that we stand with them and will do everything that we can to protect them.

I stand here not just as Sinn Féin's health spokesperson but as a citizen who sees every single day just how much those who have come from other countries enrich and contribute to our society in so many ways. Thousands of hard-working international doctors, nurses, surgeons, midwives and other healthcare professionals in the health service have dedicated and continue to dedicate their lives to our health and well-being. Those people have left their home countries, families and communities to come here, where they are saving lives and providing invaluable care to patients from all backgrounds bar none.

Just 18 months ago, general medicine at my local hospital, Daisy Hill Hospital, was on the brink of collapse due to crippling staff shortages. Thankfully, because of the decisions of many overseas workers — healthcare professionals — who chose to come to Ireland and work in our health service, those services have been stabilised and protected. We must be and are eternally grateful to each and every one of them.

The very least that people from minority ethnic communities deserve is respect and to have the same safety and security as any other individual across this island. Ireland is the land of céad míle fáilte

[Translation: one hundred thousand welcomes]

. Our communities have embraced and welcomed many people from other communities over the years, just as many of our people were welcomed when they emigrated to countries across the world. Just yesterday, I spoke to some international healthcare workers in the Southern Health and Social Care Trust area. They described the fear that they feel as they watch the disgraceful and despicable scenes that we have seen over recent days. They are afraid to go to work, to come home or to take their children out in public. I say this to them: we stand with you, we value you, and we have the utmost respect for the huge contribution that you make to society every day. This is your home, and you are all welcome here.

Racism and hatred are never acceptable — no ifs, no buts and, most importantly, no excuses.