Independent Ireland councillor Linda de Courcy has said she is “extremely disappointed” following Cabinet approval for the State’s purchase of the Citywest Hotel and Convention Centre.
The announcement was made on Tuesday in a press release from Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan, who said the acquisition would help the Government meet its commitments under the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum.
“In a sector that has seen extremely high costs in recent times, purchasing Citywest makes prudent financial sense for the State compared to costs of leasing the site,” he said.
“The purchase represents a payback period to the State of approximately 4 years, and over 25 years, the purchase and operating cost model offer savings of more than €1billion, while delivering a permanent State asset.”
The Minister, who is responsible for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, described the purchase as “a hugely significant step” in the transition to a more sustainable accommodation system for international protection applicants.
“State-owned centres are part of the Government’s long-term plan to reduce the reliance on private accommodation providers in communities,” he said.
The Department said there were no immediate plans to increase the current 2,300-person capacity at the site, and that the leisure centre – used by roughly 3,000 local members – was expected to remain open.
Junior Minister Colm Brophy also welcomed the purchase.
“Our Community Engagement team is ready to begin working closely with local community leaders, community groups and stakeholders,” he said.
However, speaking to Gript after the announcement, local councillor Linda de Courcy accused the Government of acting unilaterally and ignoring community concerns.
“I’m really annoyed, but unfortunately not surprised,” she said.
“The government has gone behind everybody’s back. Like, Independent Ireland have had a PQ in to [Justice Minister] Jim O’Callaghan since January concerning this, and we haven’t got an answer, which I think is extremely unprofessional of them.”
She said the party had been promised a debate in the Dáil, but this had not happened.
“We were told we have a debate, and now suddenly there is no debate. It’s just been agreed by Cabinet.”
De Courcy said the move would “turn it into a permanent migrant camp” and claimed there was scope for further expansion on the grounds.
“They’re saying it won’t be expanded, but to be honest, nobody believes that,” she said.
“There’s space for another 400 apartments or rooms of some description in the car park behind the hotel.”
“I’m not saying that it will. But, I mean, if they have the land, there’s a chance to have the right to use it.”
She also claimed to be the only public representative in the area fully backing locals.
“I’m the only one of the seven councillors and five TDs in the area that’s actually 100% supporting the local people,” she said.
“Everybody else is just either ignoring the situation or saying one thing and doing another.”
Concerns about the Citywest facility have been raised in recent weeks at public meetings attended by over 200 locals. Residents said they had seen a rise in public safety incidents and warned of increasing pressure on services.
One woman told the meeting she no longer left her home after 6pm, and had been chased, filmed, and followed from the Luas. She also said Gardaí had refused to take her statement.
To date, a petition of locals objecting to the hotel’s purchase by the State had accrued “about 4,000” signatures.