Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Mr. Kirrane said in his presentation: “The Department of Environment, Community and Local Government and the City and County Managers will lead on providing accommodation for persons granted refugee status”. Given the current situation in this country, a red light will go on in the heads of many public representatives and councillors when they hear that these people will "lead on providing accommodation" while we have a major housing crisis and there are people in a very bad situation. How then are we going to deal immediately with another 1,850? Many people will ask the fundamental question about whether we can provide the accommodation and resources.

In respect of a single centre, I would be very cautious about having all refugees in one spot particularly when 700 or 800 parishes around the country could take ten each and they would not even be noticed. That would cover the 4,000 before you get out of bed in the morning. Mr. Kirrane should be very careful of any facility that will ghettoise people who come into the country after living in a conflict situation.