By Andy Spearman
Yesterday’s announcement that the D Hotel is to be used to house 500 international protection applicants has attracted much criticism over the lack of consultation between the Department of Integration and local representatives.
Reasonable and rational people understand and accept that we as a country have a responsibility, with other nations, to come to the aid of people fleeing war, political persecution and natural disasters but the burden of that responsibility must be shared equally by communities around the country.
To take over the only big hotel in the town, one that has been at the centre of life for years and had been central to plans for upcoming festivals and events which would have brought trade to the town, is asking too much from a locality that is already struggling economically.
It beggars belief that such a major development could be carried out without Green Party Minister Roderic O’Gorman and officials in the Department of Integration at least contacting local TDs and business leaders in advance to gauge the possible impacts of this deal on the economy of the town.
The loss to the economy of Drogheda from the money that would have been spent in the town by people staying at the hotel has been estimated at €4.5million a year in lost revenue.
The owners of the D Hotel, Fairkeep Ltd, who bought the hotel in October 2023, have entered into an agreement with the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth for the next two years.
In a statement issued this morning, Drogheda and District Chamber has offered to be part of any discussions or meetings that are required in respect of the proposed plan to house international protection applicants at the d Hotel.
“As a chamber, how the town develops and sustains itself in the coming years is paramount in our objectives and one area that has been very apparent is the lack of bedrooms within the greater Drogheda area,” said Chamber President Hubert Murphy.
“Any dilution of those bed numbers is concerning for the town, its economy and its future. The d Hotel has been a focal point of the tourism industry in the centre of town for years and any impact on that, impacts on the wider business world and community.
“For a town to flourish it needs all the components, hotels, restaurants, easy access, things to see and do and when we lose one of those key elements, we need to move quickly to fill that gap.
“The chamber is available to act in any way possible to meet the challenges that this proposal brings, be that at local or national level.
“At times like this, all options must be considered and bringing as many stakeholders to the table as possible is the only way to resolve this situation,” Mr. Murphy stated.
Drogheda’s three TD’s met with Minister Roderic O’Gorman last night and were also joined by Justice Minister Helen Mc Entee but there were no outcomes to speak of.
They asked the Minister if he would consider reducing the numbers of people to be housed in the hotel, if they could be spread over other locations to share the burden around the country but Minster O’Gorman told them that the two year contract had already been signed. End of.
Drogheda’s Council members will be meeting later today to discuss this issue and Deputy Mayor Kevin Callan has said there will hopefully be a joint statement issued later today or in the morning.
They said that is their intention to reinvest the funds paid to them from this contract directly into renovating the hotel and that they are committed to ensuring the longevity of the hotel for the next 25 years.
They also pointed out that the function rooms and bar will continue to stay open to the general public.
