Activists have delivered a letter to the Department of Integration offices in Dublin, calling for action and accommodation for homeless asylum seekers.
The group was joined by TDs to submit the letter demanding that the minister, Roderic O’Gorman, adopt a more “humane, proactive, effective and equitable” approach to resolving the lack of accommodation.
Around 150 tents have been pitched outside the International Protection Office (IPO) on Mount Street because there is no accommodation available.
Last month, a large group of asylum seekers was moved by authorities from the makeshift camp at the IPO to Crooksling in south-west Dublin.
Pit Sami Kupiszewski, who shelters in a tent outside the International Protection Office on Mount Street, holds aloft a tent at the Department of Integration in Dublin (Brian Laweless/PA)
Mahmoud Al-Azab, a Palestinian from Jordan, said there needs to be a solution found.
Speaking outside the department, he said: “We have chosen Ireland because we know exactly how much Irish people respect human rights.
“An Irish court previously said that keeping people in tents is illegal and is against human rights and against international law.
“We need a solution. We have nothing. Once again we need all our rights here recognised according to international rights including accommodation and to keep our dignity.”
Labour leader Ivana Bacik said it was “distressing” seeing the conditions people are being forced to live in.
“The lack of sanitation, the lack of provision, but crucially the lack of provision of alternative accommodation,” she added.
“I have been engaging with the Department of Integration seeking the provision of alternative accommodation for those who have come here seeking refuge and have not been provided with shelter.
“We have seen numbers creeping up, we saw Crooksling provided, we worked with the department to improve the conditions at Crooksling to ensure it is a decent alternative.
“People are being forced to sleep in conditions that no one in Ireland should be forced to sleep in in Ireland.
“We are calling on the minister to provide alternative accommodation.”
People Before Profit TD Brid Smith said: “Whether they are Irish or migrant, everyone deserves a place to live, they deserve a roof over their heads, they deserve safety.
Labour leader Ivana Bacik (left) and People Before Profit’s Brid Smith arrive at the Department of Integration in Dublin (Brian Lawless/PA)
“What’s unique and shocking about this is that this is the second encampment prior to move to Crooksling. There’s over 150 tents at Mount Street now.
“The sight of it is shocking, particularly the absence of any sanitation facilities.
“People are confined to a space that is dangerous, dirty and unhealthy and it is a very shocking way to treat human beings.”
Stephen Roche, of Social Rights Ireland, said: “The impression we are getting is that the department is out of its depth, it’s hiding from the problem, it’s not even implementing bad solutions, it’s implementing no solutions.
“The letter that we presented today outlines the deteriorated situation for all concerned, first those forced to sleep outside the IPO, secondly for the residents who have an encampment outside their doors and the volunteers who have been left to stop the gaps left by the government.”
News Related
-
Asylum seekers travel in an inflatable boat across the English Channel, bound for Dover on the south coast of England (Photo: Ben Stansall/AFP) Up to 40 Conservative MPs are poised to rebel over Rishi Sunak’s Rwanda deportation policy as they question ministers’ commitment to the scheme. A major row is ...
See Details:
Up to 40 Tory MPs ‘set to rebel’ if Sunak’s Rwanda plan doesn’t override ECHR
-
In the saltmarsh fringing where the Ballyboe River dissolves into Trawbreaga Bay, a little egret wears its plumage like a windblown stole. Our car swoops across the 10 arches of Malin bridge and we park along the village green. Malin is almost as far north as you can get on ...
See Details:
Country diary: A tale of three churches
-
Photograph: Chris Ratcliffe/EPA Hampton Court is an enduring monument to the power of Henry VIII, a pleasure palace down the Thames from Westminster and the City of London. On Monday it was the scene of power projection of a different kind, as Rishi Sunak pitched for investment from some of ...
See Details:
Sunak woos business elite with royal welcome – but they seek certainty
-
-
Tottenham interested in move to sign “fearless” £20m defender in January Tottenham Hotspur have joined the race to bring an overseas defender to the Premier League in January, according to a fresh report. Postecoglou’s centre-back options The Lilywhites currently have Micky Van De Ven, Ashley Phillips, Cristian Romero and Eric ...
See Details:
Tottenham interested in move to sign “fearless” £20m defender in January
-
A £100m campaign urging households and businesses to use less water will be funded from customers’ bills, Ofwat has said. Bill payers to stump up cost of £100m water usage campaign The regulator’s chief executive David Black told MPs that if the measures worked it would be cheaper than building ...
See Details:
Bill payers to stump up cost of £100m water usage campaign
-
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football – FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023 – Group B – Canada Training – Olympic Park, Melbourne, Australia – July 24, 2023 Canada’s Christine Sinclair during training REUTERS/Hannah Mckay/File Photo (Reuters) – BC Place in Vancouver, British Columbia, will be renamed “Christine Sinclair ...
See Details:
Soccer-Venue renamed 'Christine Sinclair Place' for Canada soccer great's final game
-
Michael van Gerwen is hunting down a fourth World Championship title (Picture: Getty Images) Michael van Gerwen is Phil Taylor’s tip to lift the World Darts Championship trophy for a fourth time in January, expecting a backlash from the recent defeat in the Players Championship Finals. The 2024 World Championship ...
See Details:
Phil Taylor makes his pick for 2024 World Darts Championship winner
-
Michael van Gerwen is hunting down a fourth World Championship title (Picture: Getty Images) Michael van Gerwen is Phil Taylor’s tip to lift the World Darts Championship trophy for a fourth time in January, expecting a backlash from the recent defeat in the Players Championship Finals. The 2024 World Championship ...
See Details:
Soccer-Howe aims to boost Newcastle's momentum in PSG clash
-
Michael van Gerwen is hunting down a fourth World Championship title (Picture: Getty Images) Michael van Gerwen is Phil Taylor’s tip to lift the World Darts Championship trophy for a fourth time in January, expecting a backlash from the recent defeat in the Players Championship Finals. The 2024 World Championship ...
See Details:
Hamilton heads for hibernation with a word of warning
-
Michael van Gerwen is hunting down a fourth World Championship title (Picture: Getty Images) Michael van Gerwen is Phil Taylor’s tip to lift the World Darts Championship trophy for a fourth time in January, expecting a backlash from the recent defeat in the Players Championship Finals. The 2024 World Championship ...
See Details:
Carolina Panthers fire head coach Frank Reich after 1-10 start to the season
-
Michael van Gerwen is hunting down a fourth World Championship title (Picture: Getty Images) Michael van Gerwen is Phil Taylor’s tip to lift the World Darts Championship trophy for a fourth time in January, expecting a backlash from the recent defeat in the Players Championship Finals. The 2024 World Championship ...
See Details:
This exercise is critical for golfers. 4 tips to doing it right
-
Michael van Gerwen is hunting down a fourth World Championship title (Picture: Getty Images) Michael van Gerwen is Phil Taylor’s tip to lift the World Darts Championship trophy for a fourth time in January, expecting a backlash from the recent defeat in the Players Championship Finals. The 2024 World Championship ...
See Details:
One in three households with children 'will struggle to afford Christmas'
-
OTHER NEWS
Kobbie Mainoo made his first start for Man Utd at Everton (Photo: Getty) The Football Association are reportedly confident that Manchester United starlet Kobbie Mainoo will choose to represent England ...
Read more »
Michael Smith will begin the defence of his world title on the opening night (Picture: Getty Images) The 2024 World Darts Championship is less than three weeks away and the ...
Read more »
For the first time a long haul commercial aircraft is flying across the Atlantic using 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). A long haul commercial flight is flying to the US ...
Read more »
The King has met business and finance leaders from across the world at a Buckingham Palace reception to mark the conclusion of the UK’s Global Investment Summit. Charles was introduced ...
Read more »
After Ohio State’s 30-24 loss to Michigan Saturday, many college football fans were wondering where Lou Holtz was. In his postgame interview after the Buckeyes beat Notre Dame 17-14 in ...
Read more »
Darius Slay wouldn’t have minded being penalized on controversial no-call No matter which team you were rooting for on Sunday, we can all agree that the officiating job performed by ...
Read more »
New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones (10) Quarterback Mac Jones remains committed to finding success with the New England Patriots even though his future is up in the air following ...
Read more »