Mayo politicians 'must attend public meeting on new IPAS facility'

It is very disappointing that information regarding the developing an International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) centre at the former Belmount Hotel in Knock has come to light through a leaked document.

That's according to Mayo Aontú representative, Paul Lawless.

He elaborated: "It is even more disappointing to learn that Mayo county councillors have known about the plans for the hotel for almost a year and yet none of the elected representatives brought this information into the public domain.

“The government circumvention of planning laws for IPAS centres is preventing community engagement.

"In the past, the planning system allowed for public consultation.

"An application, a site notice, a newspaper advert would all have been required.

"The circumvention for IPAS centres has effectively allowed wealthy property owners to bypass the planning system.

"This must be reversed immediately. The people of Knock have a right to a say over the community of Knock.

“Unless we develop a road map out of this crisis we are going to see IPAS centres in every town and village in Ireland. The solutions are obvious.

"The government must get serious on the issue of migration.

"Aontú has consistently called for a stricter migration system. One that enforces the existing immigration laws.

"One that differentiates from those who need our help and those who don’t.

"One that shortens processing times to days, not years.

"One that enforces deportation orders. Up to 85% of deportation orders are not actioned by the state and the department has no idea if those applicants have ever left the state.

"We need to ensure those who purposely destroy travel documents are returned; 5,000 people arrived in our airports without valid travel documents last year.

“I am inviting all politicians in Mayo to attend the public meeting on Tuesday at 8 p.m. outside the Belmont Hotel to address the concerns of the local community," he added.