Hook is no stranger to controversy.
George Hook has come under fire for comments on Twitter about Eric Zhi Ying Xue, a young boy from Bray facing potential deportation, despite being born in Ireland and living his entire life here.
Hook made the comments in response to a Twitter post on Thursday from Health Minister Simon Harris, who said that he stood with Eric Zhi Ying Xue and had made representations in an effort to prevent his deportation.
I stand with Eric Zhi Ying Xue in Bray. He is 9. He is Irish. He was born in Holles Street. He is part of our community. On humanitarian grounds alone, this should be resolved. Common sense must prevail. Have made representations to that effect.
— Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) October 18, 2018
On Friday, in response, Hook tweeted: “With trolly (sic) numbers at world record levels, Minister Simon Harris, is worried about a Chinese boy!!”
With trolly numbers at world record levels, Minister @SimonHarrisTD is worried — about a Chinese boy!!
— George Hook (@ghook) October 19, 2018
Hook’s comments drew a strong reaction, with one Twitter user saying: “Jesus George, that’s a disgraceful statement. This boy is Irish, he was born here and has never lived anywhere else.”
Hook responded by saying that the issue was a matter for the Minister for Justice and Equality, Charlie Flanagan and not Simon Harris.
The Chinese boy is the responsibility of the Minister for Justice not Health @ghook
— George Hook (@ghook) October 19, 2018
Aodhán Ó Riordáin and Senator Catherine Noone, meanwhile, also added their voices to the criticism of the broadcaster.
Seriously @NewstalkFM – sort this out. https://t.co/dhc1bkAyU8
— Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (@AodhanORiordain) October 19, 2018
https://twitter.com/senatornoone/status/1053290103005691904
In subsequent tweets, Hook went onto hit out at politicians whinging about Ireland’s citizenship laws, which were the subject of a referendum as recently as 2004.
It is interesting that the politicians whinging about this unfortunate child are the very ones that voted for the law that made it possible.
— George Hook (@ghook) October 19, 2018
If this unfortunate child was Irish he could not be deported. The law was changed without a dissenting voice on Twitter
— George Hook (@ghook) October 19, 2018
On Friday afternoon, Simon Harris himself responded by saying that he would “never apologise” for standing up for a young boy in his constituency and that he was “honoured to do it”.
Will never apologise for standing up for a young boy in my constituency. That’s my job. Honoured to do it. Speaking up and speaking out is what my employers – the people of Wicklow expect me to do.
— Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) October 19, 2018
Eric Zhi Ying Xue, despite being born and living his entire life in Ireland, can legally be deported as a result of a referendum that took place in 2004, where the people of Ireland voted to tighten our citizenship laws.
Ireland voted with a 79.17% majority to stop children being born here having immediate citizenship in Ireland.
Eric’s mother is a Chinese citizen, but Eric is not – meaning he will not enjoy the rights of a Chinese citizen in China if deported.
His school, St. Cronan’s in Bray has set up a public petition in order to pressure the government into reversing its decision to deport the child.
The controversy surrounding Hook’s comments comes just over a year after he was suspended by Newstalk for on-air comments about a rape case in the UK last year; he later returned to the station as part of its weekend schedule.
Newstalk have refused to comment on Hook’s comments in this case.
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