Ms Karen McHugh:

We understand that the owner has excluded us. Obviously, that is a matter for the owner and the Reception and Integration Agency. We had been visiting the centre on a regular basis - at least twice a month, if not more - since it opened.

Unfortunately, we are disappointed that such powers can exist. Other organisations are allowed to visit it. We were invited by the residents in or around 14 August because they had many concerns about the conditions, treatment and food and were going to hold a protest.

We are often asked by owners, managers and residents to mediate conflicts. Generally, we have worked with everyone successfully to achieve temporarily peaceful places. We visited Mount Trenchard and met the owner, management and residents. An agreed action plan was reached, people shook hands and we walked away, but within a couple of minutes a number of residents were transferred with immediate notice. Unfortunately, the plan agreed with the private contractor, which is funded by the State, fell apart immediately and residents were transferred under Garda escort, which was inappropriate. Since then, we have visited a couple of times. In September, security would not let us inside, unlike everyone else.