Martin Browne (Tipperary, Sinn Fein)
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To be clear, I fully support the measures the Ombudsman takes with regard to unannounced visits and communicating with residents to get a true picture. With regard to communicating with communities, I think of the situation in Borrisokane. The trouble is that, if the local communities are not communicated with, whispers start and a momentum builds up. By the time the truth is known, it can be hard to reverse the decision. With regard to Borrisokane in north Tipperary, information got out to the community fairly early. The centre has worked brilliantly since. The residents have integrated with the community. The issue I was raising is that, the earlier communities know what is happening, ideally before the Chinese whispers of which we all know begin, the easier it is for those who are welcoming refugees or other immigrants to integrate them into the local community.

I call Senator Eugene Murphy. The Senator is muted. We can hear him now.