Sharon Keogan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am disappointed by the Minister of State's answer for two reasons. First, much of what she said has been lifted word for word from the March press release, which leads me to my second point, namely, she has completely ignored the specifics of my Commencement matter. I asked the Minister to give an update on the Thornton Hall site, which is being considered for use for refugee and asylum seeker accommodation, for details of the lease the Department holds, its duration and the overall size of the site being leased. I asked for three specific points to be clarified. I asked for details of the lease and I did not receive that from the Minister of State today. I asked for the lease duration and the overall size of the site being leased. I also asked this of Eibhlin Byrne, the national lead on civic engagement, and have received no response since.

Whoever advised the Minister of State on answering this Commencement matter should maybe have read my submission before answering. Is it now formal Government policy to ignore Members of these Houses on matters that are important to the public? I will leave it to the Minister of State to raise this with the Cabinet. It is not good enough. These are questions that the public want answered. There is one thing that I am sure the 56,000 people who are on the social housing list will not be very happy with. The Government is going to target and purchase medium and larger turnkey properties to deal with IPAS accommodation. The Irish people are not going to be happy with that.