Fine Gael councillor labels Varadkar comments on immigration as ‘nonsense’

A FINE Gael county councillor has labelled recent comments from his party leader on immigration as ‘nonsense’.

Claremorris-based county councillor Tom Connolly made his comments following a public meeting in Crossboyne regarding the potential use of modular housing at the nearby Castlemacgarrett.

The Department of Children, Disabilities, Equality, Integration and Youth has confirmed that an offer has been made to install modular housing for use of Ukrainian refugees.

The main property – which has been disused since 2006 - is also being considered by the department to accommodate Ukrainian refugees, but will require a ‘detailed assessment’ before being approved. 

Over 200 people attended the public meeting in the carpark of Crossboyne’s church on Saturday, including Cllr Connolly and Cllr Richard Finn (Independent).

The meeting heard concerns from people regarding the ability of local schools, public transport and GPs to cope with additional people living in the area.

One of those who attended the meeting encouraged people to attended today’s (Monday) meeting of Mayo County Council, where Cllr Connolly has said he will raise the issue.

Claremorris is currently accommodating refugees from Ukraine in the McWilliam Park Hotel, Western Hotel and at a modular housing development on the Ballyhaunis road.

Speaking to The Mayo News yesterday (Sunday), Cllr Connolly said that Claremorris had already taken ‘more than it’s fair share’ of refugees.

Figures revealed in the Irish Independent showed that Mayo is accommodating 2,916 Ukrainian refugees in short-term accommodation as well as over 1,200 international protectional applicants from other countries.

Cllr Connolly said: “We never opposed helping people from war torn countries and Ukraine because of the war but let’s get things into perspective. We have here in our country, over 13,000 people in emergency accommodation in hotels or other emergencies. We have another 500 or 600 out on the streets in tents. How much more can we take?

“Our own people are being neglected more so than anybody else. We have an obligation to take in people from other war torn countries over EU law, but we have to look after our own people first. Irish people deserve houses over their heads as well, roofs over their heads as well.”

Cllr Connolly also bemoaned the lack of communication regarding the proposal for modular housing at Castlemacgarrett.

A portacabin, lighting and scaffolding have been spotted on the grounds of the historic estate in recent weeks.

“My view is that we, as public representatives, and the locals and communities should be informed and consulted about what is going on, but we’re not. Everything is held tightly between the department of integration and government,” said Cllr Connolly.

“We are going around as people and public representatives and the community council and community representatives as headless chickens. We are not told anything what is taking place in this.”

The Fine Gael councillor also branded recent comments by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar regarding migration as ‘nonsense’.

Reacting to recent protests over the proposed housing of 50 male international protection applicants in Ballinrobe, Taoiseach Varadkar said that nobody had a ‘veto’ on who gets to live in their communities.

“I’ll tell you one true thing, that’s wrong,” said Cllr Connolly.

“Will he have people in Dublin move in beside them? He will not. And everybody should be allowed to be informed of people moving into an estate of their background or near enough it and none of this nonsense that he’s saying, no one should oppose.”

Cllr Connolly said that standing orders at today’s meeting of Mayo County Council may be suspended to allow for a full discussion on migration.

Fianna Fáil council whip, Cllr Damien Ryan, told The Mayo News that councillors from his party are to meet to consider whether to agree to a suspension of standing orders.

Aontú representative Paul Lawless has branded the lack of communication from Government with communities regarding the housing of refugees in areas as ‘outrageous’.

“The government is purposefully keeping communities in the dark, refusing to engage, meanwhile busing people into buildings in the middle of the night, which is unfair on local communities and does not help integration of new arrivals. Even local councils are kept in the dark like mushrooms. It’s incredible that after months of speculation and information requests to the government, it was Mid West Radio who broke the story.”