Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

At 7.45 this morning, I visited the international protection offices in Mount Street. The first thing I encountered were 31 tents, some of them elevated on wooden decking and plastic. These are occupied by people who are waiting for emergency accommodation and a humanitarian response by the Irish people under the international protection protocols the country has signed up to. We have an obligation and I believe the Irish people and Government are wholly supportive of it. However, the manner in which this obligation is being met regarding administration and support is questionable. I am told there are several people occupying many of those 31 tents. To be fair, all the rubbish was packed up in bags.I spoke to one man who said there was an issue with rats down in Grattan Court. The tents went down into Grattan Court, just around the corner from Leinster House. We have got to put our shoulder to the wheel. All people have to respond. It has to be a multiagency approach.

I am particularly delighted that the former senior college on Eblana Avenue in Dún Laoghaire, the area I live in, which has been more or less derelict on and off for the past ten to 15 years, has been identified by the Government and the Minister as a suitable site. I very much welcome that. I hope and know that the people of Dún Laoghaire will work together, as will public representatives in both the Seanad and Dáil, to support that initiative. It is welcome. The building has lain derelict for a long time. As a matter of fact, I identified the building for social housing many years ago, although that was ignored. We have a very important role. As a migrant people and a country from whose shores people travelled with their own issues and problems, we know of the welcome we got. Sometimes, we did not get a very warm welcome. Let us stick together and support these people in need in every constructive way possible. I welcome the initiative for Dún Laoghaire. It is important. The Government and particularly the Minister, Deputy O'Gorman, need all the support we can give. We must provide the wraparound services, communicate with communities and people and work with the local authorities so that we are all at one with regard to the message and what is involved here.