Eugene Murphy (Roscommon-Galway, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I wish to draw the attention of the members of the Government to page 102 of the programme for Government. It states:

We will pursue a balanced migration policy that supports our economy and meets our international and humanitarian obligations, whilst also taking a tough approach to tackling illegal migration. We are committed to supporting a humanitarian response to the current refugee crisis and providing a safe haven to those who come to Ireland under EU programmes.

I wish to put on record that I support that programme and our party supports that programme. However, I really must attack this Government for the way it has treated communities with regard to setting up possible centres.

Over the weekend in the village of Rooskey, which is eight miles from my place on the County Leitrim side, we were told that a refugee centre was moving to the old Shannon Key West Hotel. No one in the community has been informed. A meeting has been organised by some of the people involved with community groups only. They have picked special people to go into it. As a local Deputy, I was not even asked. I imagine Deputy Martin Kenny, as the Deputy on the Leitrim side, was not asked.

Why is the Government doing this under a secret type of cover? Why is the Government not coming to the communities? By the way, the communities will take on this challenge and support those people. The people who are bringing this in are saying we are going to have extra teachers in the school and extra support for the doctors, but these things are not happening. They did not happen in Ballaghaderreen either. Communities are prepared to support these people but I appeal to the Government to give back-up to communities to help and assist them.

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