Public representatives were made aware of a contract having been signed to provide international protection accommodation at the Merriman Hotel, Kinvara, on 18 March. This was the first anybody had heard about this. It has caused enormous anger in the local community. I need to stress that the people of Kinvara have always been very welcoming to refugees from different parts of the world over many years. However, in this instance, there was zero engagement with the community in advance of this proposal, which could have allowed for potential issues to be identified and addressed, but no respect was shown to the community and no engagement took place. There was a failure to follow the Government's stated policy of not locating new IPAS centres in the sole hotel in a town or village. The Taoiseach has informed the local community council that this does not apply to the Merriman Hotel because it has been out of use as a hotel. This is an absurd response. The building has been in use accommodating Ukrainian refugees, and if Government is moving away from providing refugee accommodation in sole hotels, then why does this not apply to the Merriman? Most concerning, there has been a failure to provide any clarity for the current Ukrainian residents on what their future is. We are told there is a freeze on moving Ukrainians at the moment but that this could change at any time. These people are well integrated into the community. They have built their lives there. The work there and go to school. They have made Kinvara their home, and any day now they could be told that they will be moved elsewhere at short notice. How can that be justified? It is a disgraceful way to treat human beings, especially people who have already been forcibly displaced from their home country. Now, the Government is going to put them through that again. The only people whose interests it is acting in here are the owners of the hotel who have received a very lucrative contract from the State. The community in Kinvara want a pause on these plans to allow for meaningful engagement with them and for clarity for the Ukrainian residents on their future. Will the Minister of State provide for this?

Sentiment score: 0.08

Engagement is no good after a decision is made. That is not consultation. Communities cannot be kept in the dark on these proposals and treated with utter contempt. It is a recipe for disaster. Stating that the sole hotel policy does not apply to hotels like the Merriman is a cop-out. It is a hotel. It is the only one in the village. This is a tourist village, and the loss of this hotel is having a serious economic impact. There is no clarity for the Ukrainian residents - 40 people are still there, by the way. Shame on this Government for treating these people in this manner and leaving them in limbo and in this uncertain situation. There should be a practical plan put in place to keep these people in the community and in the hotel until that is achieved. Government needs to put this contract on hold and engage with people in the local community. The Minister, Deputy Foley, or an Taoiseach should come down to Kinvara and explain to the local community how this is not a hotel and explain to the Ukrainian residents why they cannot provide any clarity to them on their future. I ask that this be taken back to the Minister, Deputy Foley, and Minister of State, Deputy Brophy. I agree that it is very disappointing that the Minister left before this.

Sentiment score: -0.10