Tipperary TDs meet with Justice and Migration ministers over Dundrum House IPAS contract

Two Tipperary South TDs are meeting with Minister for Justice and Mnister of State for Migration in Dublin this afternoon (Tuesday, November 25) to appeal for the ending of the IPAS contract for the former Dundrum House Hotel.

Fine Gael TD Michael Murphy and Independent TD Mattie McGrath are meeting Minister Jim O'Callaghan and Minister Colm Brophy in the wake of the High Court's decision last week to quash a Section 5 planning exemption that allowed it to be used as an accommodation centre for International Protection applicants.

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Both TDs joined with Dundrum Heritage Group in calling on the Government to end the IPAS contract at the former Tipperary hotel last week following the High Court decision.

But Taoiseach Micheál Martin told Deputy McGrath in the Dáil last Wednesday, (November 19)  that the former hotel would continue to operate as an IPAS centre since contracts and leases are still in place.

In his letter to the Minister O'Callaghan requesting to meet urgently with him about the Dundrum House situation, Deputy Murphy said he was anxious to engage directly given the level of public concern about the future of Dundrum House and its strategic importance.

Meanwhile, a new Section 5 planning exemption application in relation to Dundrum House was lodged with Tipperary County Council in October and the local authority has referred it to An Coimisiún Pleanála for a decision, which is due next March. 

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