'A damaging move for brand Mayo' - independent councillor
An independent elected member of Mayo County Council has outlined his opposition to the calling of a special meeting next Friday on the migrant accommodation issue in the county.
When contacted by The Connaught Telegraph today, Ballina-based representative Councillor Mark Duffy said he disagreed with this proposal and will not be attending the meeting, the agenda for which has been circulated.
He has also called for the meeting to be cancelled, a request understood to be under serious consideration in view of the backlash by councillors to the cathaoirleach Councillor Seamus Weir requisitioning the meeting, a move taken following discussions with the three party group whips, Councillor Damien Ryan (FF), Councillor Peter Flynn (FG) and Councillor Michael Kilcoyne (Ind.)
On the proposals that the council "no longer cooperates with the intake of Ukrainian refugees and international protection asylum seekers into the county due to the absence of a clear strategy to ensure the delivery of critical services" and taking into account 'the recent and sudden population increases in towns and villages in Mayo', Councillor Duffy said: "Mayo is a county with a history of mass emigration due to war and famine, this remains part of our story to this day.
"Any proposal to close Mayo’s borders to anyone from outside Ireland seeking humanitarian refuge in the county is not acceptable.
"This can only be described as a Trump style proposal less than two weeks after we welcomed home one of the most notable members of our diaspora whose ancestors left in such a desperate time in Mayo’s history."
Councillor Duffy said the increase of refugees coming to County Mayo in the past two years has allowed for the reopening of accommodation centres that were previously closed.
"Is it right that we propose to turf out refugees during the summer months, and welcome them back in the winter months when it suits us?" he asked.
The special meeting called for next Friday is also requesting the sending a delegation to meet with the Minister for Community Development Integration Joe O'Brien, and the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Roderic O'Gorman, 'in order to determine the location of appropriate accommodation in appropriate locations to properly and effectively those displaced.'
In regard to the proposal that the council's chief executive furnishes the elected members with a report by May 31 listing all vacant and derelict properties in the ownership of the council, their intended use and an estimated date when each property could be brought into use, Councillor Duffy said: "This is a useful exercise that I believe is has already been undertaken through a vacant homes officer.
"However I do not believe it is appropriate to consider this in the same conversation as the first item on the agenda.
"We had vacancy and dereliction long before any humanitarian crisis.
"If anything, the refugees have helped to breathe life back into buildings and communities that have previously struggled with population decline.
"Mayo’s population was decimated from 388,887 in the 1840’s to 140,000 currently.
"We have greatly benefited and been enriched by new arrivals to the county over the past two years, many of whom now make up the majority of our voluntary community groups.
"This will be a damaging move for brand Mayo if this meeting goes ahead."
Castlebar Fine Gael Councillor Ger Deere has also indicated he will not be attending the meeting while it is understood Ballina Fianna Fáil Councillor Annie May Reape has also outlined her opposition to it.
The issue had the potential to cause a major rift within the elected ranks of the authority.