Gerry Hutch tells immigrants to 'bring your toolbox and bring your skills'

Gerry Hutch has said Ireland "needs immigration", but said immigrants coming into the country should "bring your toolbox with you and bring your skills".

In an interview with the Sunday Independent, Hutch said immigrants should not come to Ireland and "expect to sponge off the dole".

Hutch will run in the Dublin Central constituency in the upcoming general election.

On the hot topic of immigration, Hutch asserted that Ireland has always needed immigration, but that those coming into the country must be willing to work.

"This country needs immigration. It always has. I remember as a kid, immigration up in Summerhill, the fish and chips shops. There's a guy there, [he] gives free chips to people who are hungry. He's immigration. He's more Irish now than he is Italian," he said.

"I welcome integration and immigrants coming into Ireland, but bring your toolbox with you and bring your skills. Don't come into Ireland and expect to sponge off the dole.

He said "we can make an allowance" for people coming in from Ukraine, but said he felt some asylum seekers coming into Ireland from elsewhere are "not being vetted" and that they are regularly housed in underprivileged areas rather than in "D4".

On why he is running, Hutch said people in his community have asked him to and that he wants to serve the people of Dublin.

"I'm doing it because people in my community asked me to. I want to serve the people of Dublin 1,3, and 7. I want to serve the country. I've a list as long as my arm on the things that need to be done," he told the Sunday Independent.

"But I'm not the type of person who would be anyone for their vote. If you want to vote for me, then do. I won't be twisting anyone's arm. I will be out, knocking on certain doors.

"People can tell me to f**k off if they're not interested. I have to expect that cheek from people. Am I confident I'll get elected? Absolutely I am."

Gerry Hutch told the Sunday Independent that he "couldn't care less" about Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald and is not running to try and take her seat.

"It's nothing whatsoever to do with Mary Lou. I couldn't care less about what she does, or what Sinn Féin say they will do," he said.

"I'm focused on what I will do. I could probably be considered old, but I'm fresh. I've a lot of life experience. To go into the Dáil, you have to be hungry and ready to fight, and I am."

Hutch said his number one priority is homelessness and housing, adding that there are almost 4,500 homeless children and that this turns them into "child criminals".

"On top of that, we have the housing crisis, not enough places for people to buy affordable homes. It's an emergency situation," he said.

"If there's a flood, there are emergency measures. This is the same. There are derelict properties all over this city. I've been involved in property deals for years, so I have experience. They all need to be bought up by the State.

"There is too much red tape in this country. We have to get rid of the red tape, and quickly."

If he is elected, Hutch said he will "be doing everything in the best interest of my constituency and the country".

"And if I have to work with Mary Lou, or if I have to work with Micheál Martin, then I would."