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Flanagan says there is 'a crisis' in providing accomodation for people seeking asylum in Ireland. Leah Farrell

'I don't want to see these people on our streets': Charlie Flanagan admits 'crisis' in asylum seeker accommodation

The Justice Minister says over 1,300 asylum seekers are currently in emergency accommodation.

JUSTICE MINISTER CHARLIE Flanagan has said that “improvements” to the Direct Provision system are necessary but that he “doesn’t want to see people on the streets”.

The minister was speaking to RTÉ Radio One’s Drivetime amid questions about the government’s role in informing communities about the opening of Direct Provision centres.

Flanagan said there has been “no decision” about the potential for a DP centre in Oughterard, Co Galway but that “expressions of interest are ongoing”.

The minister previously stated that he was “very disappointed” at recent remarks made about the process and he again called on Noel Grealish TD to withdraw remarks he made.

Flanagan acknowledged that community concerns about Direct Provision centres must be listened to.

“In all cases it’s important that information be provided on the matter of education facilities and schools, school places. Teachers are concerned, parents are concerned. GPs and healthcare, of course, is an issue of fundamental importance to people,” he said.

And how is the healthcare service to be delivered in any area, the matter of public transport, to and from the centre, to and from the local community? And, of course, the important issue of sport and recreation.

He added that some people agitating against the centres are opposed to immigration as a concept and are not speaking for local communities.

“I believe it’s important that such demonstrations take place in an atmosphere of calm. I am concerned that many of these issues, where there are challenges, are being whipped up by people who have ulterior motives, people who are against the concept of allowing any asylum seekers into our country.”

Unfair

Flanagan also said he is aware that there are people who are “implacably opposed” to the Direct Provision system and said “a balance” is required.

“We have a situation where on the one hand, we have a group of people who are implacably opposed to the concept of Direct Provisions for reasons they say that it’s no way to keep people’s, that it’s unfair. And on the other hand people who just don’t want asylum seekers in the community, what we have to do is to find a balance, and that’s why there are improvements to the current system.”

Ireland is no different from any other EU country or any other western-type democracy in the manner in which we deal with people coming from the most vulnerable circumstances.

Flanagan acknowledged that there was “a crisis” in providing accomodation to people arriving into the country

“I have in excess of 1,300 people in emergency accommodation. I would hope that these applications would be dealt with as expeditiously as possible but we can have on some days 40-50 people coming to our shores. I don’t want to see these people on our streets,” he said.

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    Mute Eamonn O'Hanrahan
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    Jun 4th 2024, 7:24 AM

    They describe a typical Dublin suburb, exciting stuff, surprised they allow comments on such an interesting story.

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    Mute Ciaran O'Mara
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    Jun 4th 2024, 2:06 PM

    @Eamonn O’Hanrahan: never look back in Ongar, I heard them say.

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    Mute Ajax Penumbra
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    Jun 4th 2024, 10:31 AM

    “Approximately six new homes” — only an approximation? You couldn’t go count them or anything?

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    Mute Rose Sheridan
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    Jun 4th 2024, 7:20 AM

    “WWE superstar Sheamus” crucial to what? Who or what is he? WWE stands for?

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    Mute Jason Memail
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    Jun 4th 2024, 9:23 AM

    @Rose Sheridan: Asking those questions in the comments section is the fastest way to an answer I’d say. Much better than, oh I don’t know, typing “WWE Sheamus” into Google?

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    Mute Lady Ruth Fitzmaurice
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    Jun 4th 2024, 7:34 AM

    Sloppy, lazy journalism. Sheamus is from Cabra. A Google search could have told you that.

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    Mute honey badger
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    Jun 4th 2024, 7:55 AM

    @Lady Ruth Fitzmaurice: That explains why there used to be a big poster of him on an esb box on the Old Navan Road! Thank you. Case closed.

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    Mute Alex
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    Jun 4th 2024, 9:29 AM

    @Lady Ruth Fitzmaurice: He is from Clonsilla, it’s literally written on the WWE website, confirmed by him and on all wrestling bio websites.
    Your searches aren’t good.

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    Mute ben wu
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    Jun 4th 2024, 12:46 PM

    @Alex: On the WWE website it just says that he is from Dublin, the same goes for FoxSports.
    Never heard of him before and don’t know other sites to check beyond Wiki saying Cabra.

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    Mute Lady Ruth Fitzmaurice
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    Jun 4th 2024, 1:32 PM

    @Alex: really. When I worked with him he was from Cabra. Even Google knows that. My searches aren’t necessary aa I got it from the man himself

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    Mute Lady Ruth Fitzmaurice
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    Jun 4th 2024, 1:32 PM

    @honey badger: exactly

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    Mute Ollie Fitzpatrick
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    Jun 4th 2024, 10:52 AM

    Between an Bord Pleanála and County Councils and greedy developers, they have created monsters out of our towns and villages. Time to take a more sensible and sympathetic approach to planning permission and development!!

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    Mute Reg McCabe
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    Jun 4th 2024, 4:53 PM

    What’s unique about Clonsilla and distinguishes it from other communities mentionef is the presence of the Royal canal. Access from the village to the canal as amenity needs to be improved. Also bordering the village is the iconic Deep Sinking gorge. Unbelievable the article contains no reference whatsoever to the canal and its potential. Lost in plain sight?

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    Mute Sean Money
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    Jun 4th 2024, 9:58 AM

    They should be grateful to have feckin houses.

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    Mute Fran Mooney
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    Jun 4th 2024, 11:23 AM

    Great streetscape like swords, where did you get that from

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    Mute Mary.E.
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    Jun 4th 2024, 12:25 PM

    It may be an old building ,but the asking price certainly is not.

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    Mute Sean Money
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    Jun 4th 2024, 9:59 AM

    Shamus is a rough man and would put manners on you

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