Government Clueless on Immigration Numbers for Mayo - Cllr Paul Lawless
11 /8 /2024
The Government is either being ‘economical with the truth’ around new accommodation provision across Mayo for Ukrainian refugees or genuinely has no clue as to what is going on. That’s according to Aontú Cllr Paul Lawless who has termed as ‘bizarre’ conflicting information he has received from the Department of Integration which he says is at variance with the overall Government assertion that numbers are reducing.
Speaking this week, Cllr Lawless said: “In recent days I have got confirmation from Mayo County council that there are a number of new buildings being considered Ukrainian refugees. These include Belmont Hotel to accommodate 150 people and Castlemcgarrett, earmarked for some 300. The Moy Lodge in Foxford is under consideration for some 25 to people. A planning application for 12 modular homes in Kilcolman Court, 50 in Ballyhaunis and 20 in Turlough are all awaiting decision. The Department continue to sign more and more letters of intent for Ukrainian nationals, yet we know that the numbers of people coming to Ireland from Ukraine are falling. Yet the Government maintain these buildings will be used for Ukrainian nationals. Meanwhile, I received an email from the Department stating a number of accommodation contracts have been terminated due to the reduction in demand. It's totally bizarre”.
“In correspondence to me the Department stated that “In recent months, we have seen decreases in the number of people arriving from Ukraine in Ireland. Added to that, greater numbers are choosing to move on from State accommodation.” It further mentions that “very few new arrivals, with the exception of the most vulnerable cases, are being placed in the Department’s existing accommodation settings.”
It’s clear that this Government’s mishandling of the entire immigration issue continues. We favour a compassionate but common-sense approach and the manner in which this Government has gone about immigration is frankly neither. It has created unnecessary chaos as a result of its incoherent immigration policy. By its refusal to engage with communities it has sown anger, confusion and suspicion about the status of those entering the country. Aontú uncovered that 85% of deportation orders were not enforced, a damning indictment of the Government’s record”.
“The latest conflicting reports I have received does nothing to engender confidence in its abilities to handle the issue properly and justly, for everybody concerned. Aontú wants to see concrete action on the current crisis. We will prioritise the creation of a new Irish Border Agency that will incorporate processing applications to engaging with communities over placements and enforcing Irish and international law on deportations. We will ensure this is adequately staffed and resourced, replacing the appalling mismanaged system that is currently in place. Living in this country is a privilege, not a right and we will clearly deny anyone with a criminal record in any other country from entering Ireland. We want to see an Irish Sea Border to address the numbers of people coming from Britain through the North of Ireland into the Republic. This is compatible with the Common Travel Area and is the only way to control numbers coming through this route and negate the need for a hard border or checks on the border”.
ENDS
