Illegal caravan encampments are impacting on people’s livelihoods and businesses in “every county”, a Fianna Fáil Senator has said.
The comments were made this week by Senator Fiona O’Loughlin, who is based in Co. Kildare.
“I have previously raised the issue of illegal encampments,” she said.
“We have an ongoing situation in the Curragh, particularly at this time of year. About 40 visitors arrived with their [mobile] homes on Sunday evening. The adjacent guest house has had to close as a result.”
The Senator added that the venue “had to cancel all its bookings”.
“People’s livelihoods are being impacted,” she said.
“Yesterday, I called for a wider debate about illegal encampments, and not just in the Curragh. They happen across Kildare and every county. I think it is beyond time that we need to do something about it.”
The Senator also claimed that there were “animal welfare” issues around these sites.
“I spoke to somebody this morning who rescued a dog and brought it to a vet,” she said.
“This goes on and on. We need a debate in this House on illegal encampments in general. In my county, it mainly happens on the Curragh but I am conscious it happens in other areas of the county and around the country. It is beyond time for a real conversation in the House about illegal encampments and how we deal with them.”
She added that some locals had expressed concern about “potential damage to the Curragh itself,” and she said measures would have to be brought to deal with “the potential legal costs to the local authority” in dealing with such situations.
“I have been in touch with local gardaí and the Tanaiste’s office in terms of the current encampment, but we need to see progress in terms of the wider issue of dealing with illegal encampments,” she said.
O’Loughlin added that by recognising the Curragh Plains as a National Heritage area, it would ensure action could be taken immediately to stop such illegal encampments.