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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
National
Louise Burne

Taoiseach says protests at asylum seeker accommodation 'goes against being Irish'

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said that recent protests outside asylum seeker accommodation "goes against our culture and understanding of being Irish".

There have been a number of protests in recent weeks across the country as the Government continues to struggle to provide accommodation for international protection seekers.

Locals from Santry have been taking turns to man a blockade in front of the premises in the Airways Industrial Estate located near the Swords Road for the last six weeks. There are plans to move 300 international protection seekers into the area.

READ MORE: Residents taking turns manning blockade at building in North Dublin set to house 300 refugees

There was also a blockade at Magowna Hotel in Clare for six days last week, causing any asylum seekers who had been moved into the area to leave.

Speaking on his way into Cabinet on Tuesday morning, Mr Varadkar said that the Government is speeding up how quickly it gives asylum seekers decisions on their applications.

He said: "In the meantime, we need a place for people to stay and everyone has the right to shelter, no matter who they are or where they’ve come from.

"I really think the protests are wrong in that regard. They very much go against our culture and understanding of being Irish people, having migrated to all parts of the world for different reasons, both to flee persecution and for a better life."

The Taoiseach said that he is "uncomfortable" about protests outside people’s residences and that the current demonstrations are "wrong".

He continued: "We are facing a major crisis here. Up until recently we maybe had 3,000 or 4,000 people arriving in Ireland each year seeking international protection.

"Because of the war in Ukraine and because of things that are happening in other parts of the world, we’re seeing something like we have never seen before.

"That is tens of thousands of people arriving seeking international protection. Some are genuine refugees, some are not.

"International law and common decency requires that we provide them accommodation and shelter and food while we assess their application."

The Dáil will hear several hours of statements on providing accommodation for people arriving in Ireland on Tuesday evening.

It comes as 259 asylum seekers remain on the street with nowhere to stay.

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