Independent MEP Michael McNamara has said that what were meant to be “temporary” asylum seeker accommodation measures are now beginning to appear “permanent.”
Speaking during a panel discussion on Virgin Media’s The Tonight Show last night, the Ireland South MEP said that people in Ireland initially understood the rationale for accommodating Ukrainians on a temporary basis.
“I mean, it’s something we’re seeing across rural Ireland,” he said.
“We’re seeing hotels being used to house asylum seekers and, indeed, beneficiaries of temporary protection from Ukraine before that. There’s been a lot of it in Clare.”
However, he said that many communities, such as the village of Dundrum in Co. Tipperary and elsewhere, had expected more of a long-term plan when it came to the use of these hotels to prevent an adverse impact on the local tourism industry.
“I think in Dundrum, people certainly across Clare accepted that and expected that the government would put something long-term in place and that this was a short-term, short-gap measure,” he said.
“We’re going into the third season now where we’re not having coach tours in Lisdoonvarna, for example. It’s just one example in Clare that’s having a big knock-on effect on the rural economy – an economy that’s very dependent on tourism.”
He said that much of the West of the country was “dependent on tourism”.
“There’s no place to stay anymore in West Clare, and the economy of West Clare, like much of the western seaboard, is dependent on tourism,” he said.
“The government has not put an alternative in place, so people are still being accommodated there. There’s no real plan to supplement or replace the tourism economy, so these areas are suffering.”
Responding to the notion that people don’t have a veto over traveller accommodation or over social housing, so they shouldn’t have a veto over IPAS accommodation, McNamara said the situations were very different.
“The difference is, of course, that if the government or local government wants to put in social accommodation or traveller accommodation, there is a planning process in place,” he said.
“People have to be listened to; there’s a judicial process that follows if people aren’t properly listened to. In this instance, an exemption has been put in place, so there is no consultation process whatsoever.”
He added: “People are afraid that they are being literally ridden roughshod over because there’s no process by which they can be consulted. And before their eyes, they’re seeing what was supposed to be a temporary measure becoming something that looks quite permanent indeed, whether it’s in Clare, Dundrum, or anywhere else.”
McNamara said that that it is “understandable” why “a community would be concerned by the doubling of a population and no additional services being provided.”
Green Party Councillor Hazel Chu questioned McNamara’s stance, asking, “Why was that concern not there when the Ukrainians were in?”
“Because they were told it was going to be a temporary measure,” McNamara replied.
“People were told this was all temporary. Now they’re seeing it become permanent before their eyes.”
McNamara added that there’s “no meaningful consultation” on these centres, because “the outcome is predetermined.”
Much discussion has taken place in recent weeks about the Tipperary community of Dundrum, with a population of 165, which is now facing an influx of 280 asylum seekers into the local hotel, causing much disquiet among residents.
Yesterday a number of Dundrum residents travelled up to Dublin to seek an injunction against the State, with one local woman explaining the move to Gript.
"The Government have gone rogue...unfortunately this is what it's come to. We're here representing ourselves because we have no other choice."
— gript (@griptmedia) July 29, 2024
An Irish village of 165 inhabitants is set to receive 280 asylum seekers. Now locals want an injunction against the State to stop this. pic.twitter.com/A4ZXLrVS9X
“We’re here to seek an injunction,” she said.
“We’re from Dundrum, and we really need to have this stopped. This is the best way we’ve come across to do it. We’re taking an injunction against the Department for Integration. That’s why we’re here, to take an injunction, so that hopefully this can stop and maybe some breathing space can be given, allowing time for the country to get everything together.”
She added: “It just seems that the government has gone rogue, and we’re here trying to be the solution. Unfortunately, this is what it’s come to. We are representing ourselves because we have no other choice.”
Gript asked Rural and Community Development Minister Heather Humphreys about this case yesterday – though she said she wasn’t familiar with it.
In Ireland, 280 migrants are set to be moved into a village of 165 residents, despite local objections.
— gript (@griptmedia) July 29, 2024
Rural and Community Development Minister Heather Humphreys says she "understands" locals' concerns, but that often "when people move into an area, the locals welcome them." pic.twitter.com/aEqawOHJ5o
“I haven’t heard about that particular instance,” she said.
“But I do know that the Minister O’Gorman’s Department [of Integration] does communicate and consult with local communities, and I’m sure that work is ongoing as we speak. I’m not familiar with that particular case.”
She added that while she “understands the concerns people have”, she cited Lisdoonvarna as an example of where asylum integration had worked well.
“I’ve been there several times myself,” she said.
“Many people moved into that area, and they have integrated exceptionally well. They’re working in the local community and the community centre. I’ve visited them myself, and that town has seen a positive difference.
“In fact, there were plans to move some Ukrainians from one area to another, and I received calls from local residents asking not to move them because they are making a significant contribution.”
The Minister continued: “I think there are initial concerns, and I understand why people have them. But when they get to know these newcomers and see that they are making valuable contributions, those concerns often fade.
“It’s important that we don’t have preconceived notions about who is coming into our country. Many of these people are genuine and honest; they want to be here, they want to contribute, and they want to work.”