Tipperary TD raises concerns about Dundrum IPAS contract during Leaders' Questions in Dáil

Fine Gael TD for Tipperary South, Michael Murphy, has raised concerns he has regarding the IPAS contract given to Dundrum House Hotel, during the leaders' questions in the Dáil, yesterday on Wednesday June 18. 

Michael Murphy TD started by saying that the decision by Tipperary County Council, which was announced yesterday, not to contest a judicial review of the Dundrum House section five declarations, substantiates his genuine concerns around the IPAS contract given to a proxy company only incorporated in January for this site.

The TD went on to say that: "I fully accept and recognise the government’s obligations to international protection applicants, but it must be met in a way that’s legal, transparent and sustainable.

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"The department's current position, I believe, is untenable. It has executed a flawed contract on a legally uncertain site, through a proxy company and has ignored valid environmental and planning concerns."

Michael Murphy TD then urged the Taoiseach to immediately suspend the contract, pending the outcome of the high court proceedings and launch an independent audit of the due-diligence and procurement process.

He also called for the government to halt further expansion of the site until full planning and environmental compliance is verified.

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The Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan, responded to the TD saying that “Last January Tipperary County Council declared the site an exempted development and following on from that a contract was entered into.

"I’m aware that the local authority has in effect given into the judicial review and as a result of that the section five declaration will be quashed. My understanding is that it’s going to be quashed because the screening carried out was deficient.

"Obviously the department will need to consider the consequences of that court decision, and more imminently Tipperary County Council will have to figure out what happens now because it’s no longer an exempted development."

Mr O'Callaghan concluded that he will access the situation within the department, and will discuss it with the council and come back to Mr Murphy. 

The video of Michael Murphy's speech regarding his concerns relating to the IPAS contract in Dundrum can be viewed here.