Senator Alison Comyn claimed in the Seanad that Drogheda’s economy is impacted by the loss of tourism beds due to their use for refugee accommodation.
The d Hotel in Drogheda is currently an International Protection Centre. Comyn called for an end to social media misinformation about new protection centres and advocated for a fairer immigration system.
She noted pressures on housing, healthcare, and education due to the scale of arrivals, alongside delays and poor conditions for asylum seekers. Comyn recognised the cultural and economic benefits of migration, citing contributions from Indian, Pakistani, and Filipino communities.
Alison Comyn shared: “While Ireland has a proud humanitarian tradition, we cannot allow our migration system to be overwhelmed or abused. We must balance our well-known compassion with control to ensure that those in genuine need of protection are supported while also maintaining public confidence that the system is fair and enforced.”
“The reality is that communities across the country are under severe pressure. Housing, healthcare, and education systems are overstretched. People are very worried about the pace and scale of arrivals.”
“My hometown of Drogheda is suffering economically from the stripping of our tourism accommodation and other buildings for IPAS accommodation. As I know from over the summer, not enough school places are being provided for the volume of new arrivals.”
“They are abundant. I live near one of the largest regional hospitals. We have nursing, hospitality, and culinary. We have vibrant Indian, Pakistani, and Filipino communities. We simply cannot survive without them.”
“This is fuelling division and fear in communities, and we must be proactive in providing the facts. We must engage openly with local people and consult them before, not after, the decisions are made.”
