TENT CRISIS

Simon Harris ‘determined to provide leadership’ as 30 more tents appear along Grand Canal after camp blitzed

Some 163 people were moved to different accomodation yesterday

• Published: 10:34, 10 May 2024
• Updated: 16:27, 10 May 2024

• Ann Mooney

TAOISEACH Simon Harris has warned that asylum seekers need to follow the rules and insisted there will be no more mass pitching of tents on the streets.

The Fine Gael leader spoke after yet another camp sprung up in Dublin overnight, 30 tents erected along the Grand Canal just hours after another camp was blitzed.

He said: “I became Taoiseach 32 days ago and I’ve inherited a very challenging situation. I am determined to provide leadership in relation to this.

“Since I’ve been Taoiseach I’ve convened on two occasions a multi-agency operation where we have brought together all the agencies that have a responsibility on Migration.

“What I have said very clearly is the situation that happened on Mount Street, which to be honest didn’t go on for a few days, didn’t go on for a few weeks, was allowed to fester for many weeks into months, cannot be allowed happen again.

“We have managed through what we have done on Mount Street what we did on Grand Canal today to provide additional accommodation and sanitation to more than 400 extra people which is no small matter.

“We need to be very conscious that there are very vulnerable people coming to our country seeking protection. They have a right to be allowed to go through that process.

“Immigration has benefited this country and continues to benefit this country.

Stark pictures show migrant ‘tent city’ weaving through roads outside Dublin asylum processing centre

“But people also want to know we have a rules basis. They want to know that when someone comes here that they can be processed quickly, that they can get a yes and if they do that they can be integrated and make a contribution to Irish society.

“But equally if they get a ‘No’ that rules also work in relation to that.

“I think my responsibility as Taoiseach co-ordinating a whole of government response is to show people there are rules in place, that the system does work, that the system is more efficient and that it is fair and firm.

“That’s what I am focusing on in the days ahead.”

ELECTION CANDIDATES ATTACKED

Asked about talks with the UK government about migrants coming into Ireland through Northern Ireland he said there had been no progress.

Mr Harris was also asked about election candidates being attacked while on a visit to Fermoy in Co Cork today.

He said: “People go into politics regardless of their political persuasions to try and make a positive impact on their communities, their counties and their country.