Michael Murphy (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)

The decision by Tipperary County Council, announced yesterday, to not contest the judicial review of the Dundrum House section 5 declaration substantiates my genuine concerns around the IPAS contract for this site that was given to a proxy company that was only incorporated in January. The ownership of this site is still being contested in the High Court. I fully accept and recognise the Government's obligations to international protection applicants, but they must be met in a way that is legal, transparent and sustainable. The Department's current position is untenable. It has executed a flawed contract on a legally uncertain site through a proxy company and has ignored valid environmental and planning concerns. I urge the Taoiseach to immediately suspend the contract pending the outcome of the High Court proceedings, launch an independent audit of the due diligence and procurement process, and halt further expansion of the site until full planning and environmental compliance is verified.

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