Borrisokane IPA Protest Demonstrates Government's Lip Service to Real Integration

Labour's Alan Kelly TD said:

"I attended Borrisokane last week when IPA officials refused to meet the residents in the Riverside apartment as a group or to meet members of the local liaison group or indeed to meet local representatives. The fact that Gardai were on the scene towards the end of the visit was a ridiculous waste of their time.

"The fact that these families who have status to stay in Ireland are now being evicted on this Thursday is a scandal. That cannot be allowed happen. They have fully integrated into Borrisokane and the agreement that they could stay on HAP which was agreed with the liaison committee in 2019 should be honoured. It is also ridiculous that the Government are proposing to move the residents from Borrisokane to another centre in Birr? What's the point?

"I will be fully supporting the Borrisokane Liasion Committee in their fight to help these residents; who are their neighbours and friends. They should be allowed stay in the apartments using HAP and the Minister and his Government should be able to negotiate this with the accommodation providers. Furthermore, there should be a clause with all future accommodation providers that HAP is accepted for a minimum of three years after IPAs get status to stay and the contract has concluded.

"I've made this point to Minister O'Gorman and many of his officials over the last number of months but they are not listening. The Borrisokane Liaison committee will continue with their protest this Wednesday and I will support them.

"A solution can be found to this situation which is unique in Ireland where locals are fighting to help IPAs remain in their town. If Minister O'Gorman and his Government fully believe in the word 'integration' they will work with all concerned parties to find that solution."