Taoiseach backs full disclosure on numbers earmarked for Oughterard centre

TAOISEACH Leo Varadkar has made a Dáil response to the ongoing controversy over the possible location of a Direct Provision Centre for asylum seekers close to the town of Oughterard at the now closed-down Connemara Gateway Hotel.

In response to a question on Tuesday evening from Labour Party TD, Joan Burton – who asked why there had been no communication with local people on the issue – the Taoiseach said he agreed with her on the need for consultation with local residents.

“Briefly, regarding Oughterard, I agree with Deputy Burton that there should be communication between the Department of Justice and Equality and residents on what plans, if any, there are to accommodate asylum seekers there,” said Deputy Varadkar.

The Taoiseach said that there were good examples of where good communications had occurred in relation to the provision of such facilities in Lisdoonvarna in Clare and in Wicklow town where ‘some fears had been allayed and some scare stories corrected’.

“I am told that has not happened yet in Oughterard because any plans or proposals to accommodate asylum seekers in that particular town are only at the initial stages and are not developed to the point where the Department is in a position to consult residents.

“If the plans get to that point, I am sure it [communication] will happen. Wicklow town and Lisdoonvarna are very good examples of where there may have been an initial reaction which was negative but now people have come around and welcomed people from other countries into their towns,” said the Taoiseach.

See full story and further coverage in this week’s Connacht Tribune.