Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)

I thank Deputy Murphy for updating me further on the very unpleasant experience that many of the Ukrainians in the modular homes in Clonmel appear to have had. I am very pleased that the superintendent there has been apprised of this, and I will be happy to engage with An Garda Síochána in respect of it.

An issue we have not spoken about today but that, regrettably, has to be mentioned is that on too many occasions people engage in criminal activity and criminal behaviour against IPAS centres and, worse, the individuals within them. As I have said repeatedly, people have an entitlement to claim asylum in Ireland. If they seek to do so, we have an obligation to provide them with accommodation. Everything we are doing here is complying with the law. As I have said repeatedly, we need to have a rules-based system applying here. There should be no criminal damage perpetrated against any property and no intimidation of individuals providing security. I regret to say that much of this has been orchestrated for broader political purposes.

With regard to Dundrum House Hotel, in fairness to Deputy Murphy, he has discussed this with me repeatedly. I am aware of his concerns and the historic nature of the building. His specific question was why the Department entered into a contract with the corporate entity with no track record. That would not preclude a contract being entered into. As I said at the outset, there are factors taken into account when the Department and I are entering into contracts with accommodation providers. We consider location and we now consider price and services available. I am very aware that there is an ongoing court case on Dundrum House Hotel. I am not a party to it but the decision may have an impact with respect to what I can or cannot do. At present, there is the issue in respect of a section 5 exemption. I cannot enter into a contract with an accommodation provider for an IPAS centre unless that accommodation provider has planning permission to put in emergency IPAS accommodation. That is where section 5 comes in. I could not enter into a contract with somebody who did not have the appropriate planning permission.