Motion calling for consultation with Tipperary County Council on asylum-seeker accommodation passes

Councillors have passed a motion calling for the local authority to be involved in decisions to accommodate International Protection Applicants.

However, the motion was amended after some councillors raised concerns about the wording.

The original motion put forward at this week’s Tipperary County Council plenary meeting read:

“Tipperary County Council asks the International Protection Office or the relevant ministers to cease the movement of IPAS ‘asylum seekers’ into town councils to see if the facilities for IPAS ‘asylum seekers’ are suitable.

“That contact with the council should happen when the building is offered, and the local council should be part of the decision making process, thereby taking out the ‘secrecy’ in the process that exists at the moment.”

The motion was amended to remove the inverted commas from around asylum seekers and replace the word ‘secrecy’ with “lack of information.”

The motion was put forward by Cllr Seamie Morris, who said thought it necessary because of the recent situation in Cashel.

He said the situation ‘frightened the life out of everyone’ and the council were not consulted.

He said he does not want to ‘close the door’ on asylum seekers, but he thinks Ireland is seen as a ‘soft touch’ for those who do not need protection.

Cllr Máirín McGrath supported the motion saying she thought it was a ‘reasonable request’ that the local authority be consulted.

She criticised IPAS for their ‘exceptionally poor record’ and their prioritisation of their own goals without consideration of a community’s resources. She said they act in secrecy and refuse to engage with local authorities.

“All we are asking for is reasonable engagement with the local authority,” said Cllr McGrath.

Cllr Marie Murphy concurred, saying she has found it ‘impossible’ to get a response from IPAS. However, she said that the issue was a lack of information not secrecy.

She also said businesses owners sign contracts to accommodate asylum seekers and only then go to councillors to ask about resources.

She proposed removing the inverted commas from the motion and sending any letter to the Taoiseach and the Minister for the Environment.

She requested that councillors see a copy before it is sent.

Cllr Joe Hanigan said he supported the motion because he believes putting resources in place before arrival would better help with integration.

Cllr Seamus Hanafin warned about the consequences of keeping people in the dark.

“Lack of information feeds other ideologies.

“We have to be careful we don’t fuel that,” said Cllr Hanafin.

He said the problem would only get worse as conflicts around the world escalate and climate change makes certain places uninhabitable.

Cllr Pat English said right-wing fear-mongering added to confusion in Clonmel but that international protection families have since integrated well.

“The vast majority of people coming into the country are vetted. Only a small number are not. That message should go out.

We should be proud of how welcoming we are. ” said Cllr English.

WATERED DOWN

However, Cllr John Carroll said he supported the original motion and did not want to see it “watered down.”

He said there are ‘limited resources’ and called for a “wider debate.”

But Cllr Morris said he was willing to accept the amendments, and the motion carried.