Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity) | Oireachtas source

I have an urgent issue to raise concerning a hunger strike. Asylum seekers currently accommodated at the Kilbride Army camp on the Dublin-Wicklow border will march to Government offices tomorrow to seek a meeting with the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Deputy O'Gorman.

I ask the Taoiseach to request the Minister to meet with these men's representatives.

I have been informed by my colleague, Councillor Kieran Mahon, that approximately 20 of the 123 men at the camp, which is operated by a private operator, have been on hunger strike for nine days. This is a serious situation that requires urgent attention. The main grievance of these men is that they are living in a place that is totally isolated. It is 10 km away from the nearest bus route. The physical isolation is giving rise to increased stress, anxiety and mental health pressures. They need to be transferred to another facility before the bitter cold of winter is on them. Will the Taoiseach please treat this as an urgent case and urge the Minister to meet with the men and their representatives tomorrow?

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