Minister says Government will continue to work with community on 'genuine concerns'

The Government will continue to support the people of Roscrea who have genuine concerns over the arrival of International Protection Applicants to the town, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien, has stated.

Minister O’Brien was speaking to the media in Nenagh this week at the opening of Woodview Close housing development.

“We are very conscious of the situation in Roscrea. We have got to work together to ensure where communication can be improved, it will be improved,” he said. “We have to listen to communities where there is pressure on services and make sure those services are provided for people.”

Minister O’Brien praised the role local Fianna Fáil TD Jackie Cahill had been playing in working with the community in Roscrea.

“I want to commend Jackie Cahill for the leadership he has shown in a difficult situation,” he said.

“Jackie has been engaging with the community and has raised it at the highest level in Government with the Tánaiste and Taoiseach. We will continue to support Jackie and the people in Roscrea who have genuine concerns, but we also have to be aware that there are a few hangers on that most people would have no time for - and I don’t either -  but where there are genuine concerns, of course, we will work together to address them.”

The Minister pointed out that, as a country, we knew from our history what it had been like for people who had been persecuted and had to leave the country.

He said the past year hadn’t been easy with 100,000 coming to the country.

“In the main they have received a good welcome and I want to ensure that continues,” he said.

However, Minister O’Brien warned that no one had a veto over who moved into someone’s town or  village.