Dromahair could be a template for the rest of the country - Harkin

Sligo Leitrim TD Marian Harkin invited Taoiseach Simon Harris to co-operate in making Dromahair a template for how asylum seekers are accommodated in villages and communities.

Speaking tin the Dáil Deputy Harkin said, “Taoiseach, you will have already received an invitation to visit Dromahair to meet the local community regarding the decision to locate 155 international protection applicants in the only hotel, not just in Dromahair, but in the whole of North Leitrim. This is despite your new policy of not choosing the last hotel in any town to host asylum seekers.

“For context Taoiseach, the arrival of 155 international protection applicants in Dromahair would equate, pro rata, to the arrival of about 77,000 in Dublin city. However, I believe there is an opportunity, if there was engagement with the community around numbers, services and resources, for Dromahair to be a template for how it is done properly. 

“We are told there is consultation, but in reality we know the drill - communities are told what is happening, when it is happening and they have no input into the decision. From here on, however, things could be different if you were to meet local community representatives and elected representatives.

The Taoiseach agreed that engaging with the community and giving people information is a constructive way to get things right in relation to the asylum issue. He also said it is his understanding that that it is likely the hotel in Dromahair will be used for families.

“I believe we can do better, Taoiseach, if we put the community at the center of the process,” Deputy Harkin concluded.