“The approach in Drogheda has not worked, is not acceptable and should not be repeated” say Councillors
The elected members of the Borough District of Drogheda had an online meeting with Minister Roderic O’Gorman and officials of the department yesterday evening to discuss the situation following the announcement that the D Hotel is to be used exclusively to house asylum seekers for the next two years.
They have issued the following statement:
We, the elected councillors of Drogheda, met as a coordinated cross-party group this evening with the Minister Roderic O’Gorman and officials from his department.
This meeting was an initial discussion where we have flagged the anger of the people of the town as to the manner that this decision was handled and the impact on our town of losing this hotel as a tourist asset and a part of our local economy.
Our focus as the elected councillors of the town and the points we have raised with the minister are the impact that losing the hotel will have on our local services, tourism, local businesses and protecting jobs and Garda resources.
The issue of dual usage of the hotel as a centre and a hotel was discussed and is currently under consideration and discussions are underway as to possible solutions that could assist.
We have made it clear to the Minister that the approach in Drogheda has not worked, is not acceptable and should not be repeated at other locations across the country.
We are meeting the minister again next week to progress matters in the best interests of Drogheda.
Signed:
- Deputy Mayor Kevin Callan
- Cllr Pio Smith
- Cllr Declan Power
- Cllr James Byrne
- Cllr Michelle Hall
- Cllr Joanna Byrne
- Cllr Paddy Mc Quillan
- Cllr Emma Cutlip
- Cllr Tom Cunningham
