Sir, – Most people have few concerns about hosting relatives and friends as guests in their home when they have a spare bedroom. Some might also accept visitors into their home even when everyone knows in advance that the guests will have to make do with airbeds and sleeping bags. However, how many people would invite guests to their home and upon arrival break the news that they will be staying in a tent in the garden, especially in an Irish winter?
There is no doubt that Ireland should try to meet its obligations to genuine asylum seekers, and economic migrants who have complied with the regulations, and also Ukrainians refugees fleeing the war.
However, it looks as though those who drew up the plan for the distribution of refugees among EU countries were not fully aware of the particular problems caused by a long-term housing shortage in Ireland.
Regardless of any embarrassment to particular officials and politicians, and indeed to the rest of us in the wider nation, we have to ensure that both EU administrators, and people planning to come to Ireland, are very clearly informed about the shortage of housing in this State.
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We are not treating people with respect if we continue to allow them to think they are going to find suitable accommodation, when almost none is currently available.
– Yours, etc,
TOMÁS MAOILSEACHLAINN
Lettermacaward,
Co Donegal.