Fine Gael Senator Maura Hopkins believes that lessons have not been learned from the Emergency Reception and Orientation Centre in Ballaghaderreen after the Department of Justice confirmed on Tuesday that it was in discussions with the owners of the Shannon Key West Hotel in Rooskey with a view to using the premises to accommodate asylum seekers.
Senator Hopkins said she has raised her concerns with the Taoiseach as well as the Minister for Justice.
“I have made it very clear to them that the north Roscommon region is doing its fair share in supporting individuals seeking refuge through the Emergency Reception and Orientation Centre established in January 2017.
“I strongly believe that this is a shared responsibility which should be borne right across the country. It is unacceptable that one small area of north Roscommon should carry a significant portion of our national responsibility.
“I am very aware, having been actively involved with the EROC in Ballaghaderreen, that proper resources and service provision need to be put in place to support both the refugees and the local community. From the experience in Ballaghaderreen, proper planning and funding for additional resources and services were not put in place.
“It seems to me, that lessons have not been learned by the Department from the experience in Ballaghaderreen. I am very concerned about these proposed plans in a village the size of Rooskey,” she concluded.
