Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I have a lot to say in a very short time. I repeat that Drogheda people are extremely angry and dismayed by the decision of the Minister, Deputy O'Gorman, to remove the only remaining hotel of scale in Drogheda, the D Hotel, from public use. The Government has acknowledged that this will not happen in any other town but that means nothing to the people of Drogheda. We continue to be dismayed at the lack of an appropriate and proper impact assessment and appropriate support packages for businesses, communities, tourism and, frankly, for families. If this Government intends to restore a measure of confidence in what this Administration, which I have supported, is doing in Drogheda, it has a hell of a lot more to do. People like me have been completely and utterly blind-sided by this decision. Not alone that, but I am now aware that the original contract as itemised by the Minister for 500 beds could not have been signed at that time because up to close of business yesterday, the fire safety certificate only allows 240 people to reside there. Are we paying for 500 beds when we can only fill 240? Who is making the profit or the difference? The Tánaiste was right about the women and children and the fear and trouble they have in other countries. Drogheda welcomes them all the time and will continue to do so, but they cannot be walking the streets of Drogheda with plastic bags in the rain and no centre to go to. People who live in the town cannot get their families to stay in the only hotel that was there. I represent their anger. I want the Tánaiste to do something about it.

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