Special council meeting sought on migrant accommodation issue in Mayo
A SPECIAL meeting of Mayo County Council is being convened to discuss the migrant accommodation issue in the county.
The meeting will take place on Friday, May 5, at council headquarters in Castlebar.
Cathaoirleach Councillor Seamus Weir requisitioned the meeting following discussions with the three party whips, Councillor Damien Ryan (Fianna Fáil), Councillor Peter Flynn (Fine Gael) and Councillor Michael Kilcoyne (Independent members).
The order of business on the agenda for the meeting is:
1. (a) Having regard to the recent and sudden population increase in towns and villages in Mayo, and in the absence of a clear strategy to ensure the delivery of critical services (medical, policing, education, etc.), that Mayo County Council no longer cooperates with the intake of Ukrainian refugees (BOTP) and international protection asylum seekers (IPAS) into the county until the aforementioned strategy is prepared, resourced and delivered.
(b) That a delegation meet with Joe O'Brien, Minister for Community Development Integration and Charities, and Minister Roderick O'Gorman, Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, in order to ensure the return of tourism accommodation to that use to ensure the continued viability of County Mayo and to determine the location of appropriate accommodation in appropriate locations to properly and effectively accommodate those displaced.
2. That the chief executive of Mayo County Council furnish the elected members with a report by May 31, 2023, listing all vacant (including derelict) properties in the ownership or under the control of Mayo County Council, their intended use and an estimated date that each property will be brought into use.
The calling of the meeting has caused an internal backlash within the council ranks.
The Connaught Telegraph has learned that three elected members have so far indicated their unwillingness to attend.
They include Councillor Ger Deere (FG), Councillor Mark Duffy (Ind.) and Councillor Annie May Reape (FF).