Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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I return to the saga of Dundrum House Hotel in Tipperary. On Monday, the High Court delivered a judgment that quashed the section 5 planning exemption granted for Dundrum House Hotel. The ruling confirmed what local communities have been saying for over a year, that there is no legal or planning basis for an IPAS centre at this site. The certificate underpinning this arrangement should never have been issued. Despite this, the Taoiseach's Government continues to stand over a multi-million euro contract with Utmasta Limited, worth up to €8.5 million a year, to operate a facility that is clearly operating outside the law.

This is not simply a legal failure; it has been a social, economic and financial disaster for Dundrum and south Tipperary. There are serious moral questions for the Government about how it could engage with contractors who have not filed accounts and are not compliant with our laws. The High Court has ruled definitively that Dundrum House Hotel is non-compliant. We know that more than 20 IPAS contracts have already been terminated this year for non-compliance with planning, building or fire regulations. Why is Dundrum House Hotel allowed to operate continually like this when it is in this category? Continuing to fund this contract undermines the integrity of the Government's decision-making and shows absolute disregard for the authority of the courts and this country's planning laws.

We have already seen the loss of 48 jobs here when Dundrum House Hotel closed its doors, and the collapse of a vital tourism and leisure hub that sustained golf, hospitality and community life, and indeed tourism and culture events as well. Let us not forget that when people stood up against this, and for their rights, they were met with a tyranny of force by An Garda Síochána's riot squad, canine squad and God knows what.

I have some questions for the Taoiseach. Will his Government immediately revoke the IPAS contract for Dundrum House Hotel in light of the High Court ruling? Will he confirm that no further taxpayers' money will be paid under the contract, which has no legal foundation whatsoever? Will he acknowledge the grave wrong done to the people of Dundrum village and community, who have been vindicated by the courts, and commit to restoring this amenity to its rightful role in supporting rural development and to changing how decisions about these contracts are made by the Government? Finally, will the Taoiseach commit to a full review of how the contract was awarded, given serious concerns about planning compliance, transparency and the suitability of Utmasta Limited? High Court evidence shows that companies associated with Dundrum House Hotel have not been tax compliant for six years. Just imagine. Any other citizen would not offer that company their business, so what kind of example are we showing? Why was the company deemed suitable for a State contract worth up to €8.5 million annually when all this was known and pointed out by the people and by us as public representatives too?

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Deputy for raising an important issue. We fully acknowledge that. My understanding is that Dundrum House Hotel had not been operating as a hotel since 2015, so I do not think it ceased being a hotel because of the decision in 2022 to use it for, initially, the beneficiaries of temporary protection following the war in Ukraine. I understand the first initial use of Dundrum House Hotel was for Ukrainians feeling the war. The Deputy might clarify that for me. I understand that it had not been in use as a hotel since 2015, which would be about seven years earlier. I think the adjacent golf club and catering facilities are still being used by the public and the community since that time.

The Deputy is correct that the Department of justice entered a contract in April 2025 with a company called Utmasta Limited to provide international protection accommodation at Dundrum House. That followed a detailed appraisal process and community engagement since summer 2024. My understanding is that it has a contracted maximum capacity of more than 200. About 190 people are accommodated there at the moment. Part of that appraisal process for a new contract included a review of the property services and compliance. This was done in conjunction with the local authority in the case of this contract, and a section 5 exemption was granted by the local authority. That is my understanding of what happened. Utmasta Limited has engaged with Tipperary County Council and has given a commitment to regularise any outstanding planning matters at the wider site. My understanding is that there are two separate legal matters ongoing relating to the property, neither of which involve the Department of justice or the Government directly. There was a judicial review into the planning exemption granted by Tipperary County Council to Dundrum House. This was initiated by the local heritage group. I understand that the owners decided not to continue to defend the proceedings.

The accommodation provider lodged its own section 5 application to Tipperary County Council in October of this year. This was referred to An Coimisiún Pleanála by the local authority for a decision, as the local authority said it was unable to make a decision on the matter. As the Deputy knows, the case is due to be decided by 13 March 2026, according to pleanala.ie. There is another dispute, which I do not want to comment on, which is not really relevant to me, about ownership and so on. The Department is saying, based on the fact that the contract and leases were and still are in place, that IPAS is continuing to use the property. If any action should be required as a result of any court proceedings, this will be addressed by officials as appropriate.

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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That is not accurate. The hotel was closed but the Crowe family operated a successful and wonderful business there. I was at numerous weddings and many other events there. The golf course and the pro shop were open and indeed the venue was operating as a restaurant and everything else. It was effectively running while the hotel was damaged by fire. The Taoiseach does not seem to get the issue. We are dealing with rogue contractors. We pointed out to the integration team - Deputy Michael Murphy and I pointed this out to the Minister - that it was outside the law and that the council gave a section 5 exemption in error. It has conceded that. Now the hotel has gone back for another section 5 exemption, which the council has kicked to An Coimisiún Pleanála. It is just a game of Russian roulette and money for fat cats. The real problem is that the Government is paying too much per person who is being housed by IPAS. The Taoiseach is wrong in saying that the Department of justice gave the contract. It was the former Minister, Deputy O'Gorman, and his Department at the time that ran amok and invited everyone from Timbuktu to Ireland, to come and have their own front door in 30 days or something. This is crazy. The people deserve better here. They deserve a better reply from the Taoiseach. I want the Taoiseach to instruct the Minister, Deputy Jim O'Callaghan, to meet Deputy Murphy and me. We have been trying to meet him to look at this situation urgently.

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy is correct that, while it was the Government overall, the Department of children handled migration. This Government has decided to move migration matters and asylum-seeking issues to the Department of justice. That is happening and that is why I mentioned the Department of justice in this context. It is now dealing with this. The Minister, Deputy O'Callaghan, has no issue meeting Deputy McGrath or other Deputies. We need to be careful with our language. I do not think we can be calling people "rogue contractors" in the House. That is unfair to people. It can create all sorts of-----

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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The High Court has found that, not me.

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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I know, but it is a term that could cause difficulties for people outside the House. We need to be careful about that. I want to pick up on a comment. The gardaí do not do "tyranny".

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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That is what it was. I was there. Bhí mé ann.

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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The gardaí keep the peace and uphold the law. We are very grateful. I was in Templemore last week with the Minister, Deputy O'Callaghan. It was wonderful to see so many new gardaí coming out enthusiastically-----

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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They were misused.

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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-----and 220 new gardaí going into Templemore, which shows the pace and momentum behind Garda recruitment. We should keep affirming the gardaí and all that they do. I will ask the Minister to meet the Deputy and his colleagues.