Taoiseach calls for consultation with local communities over Carrickmines accommodation

The Taoiseach has called for consultations with local communities today over accommodation for survivors of last weekend's halting site fire.

Locals yesterday mounted a blockade at a proposed temporary site offered to survivors of the Carrickmines blaze which killed 10 members of the travelling community.

Meetings are being held between residents and council officials today.

Enda Kenny has said his visit to the scene at the weekend was deeply affecting.

“To stand there in the site and see what is in front of you speaks for itself, it will never leave my mind actually,” Mr Kenny said.

“So Council reacting here, saying where can we house these remaining families in a temporary capacity, it is necessary to consult, of course, with the local communities and I can understand the balance that need to be got here.”

Lettie McCarthy is a member of Dun Laoghaire Rathdown Council and she has said she doesn't expect the Glenamuck Road site where the fire happened will be refurbished, and work is already underway on a permanent site for those who've been left homeless.

“They have started their plans already on that, I am not sure that they have identified or made public where that site is... but they have started work on that site.”

The Dáil and Seanad will not sit tomorrow due to the State funeral for Garda Tony Golden.

Both houses of the Oireachtas took the decision this morning.

A number of Committee meetings also scheduled to take place are expected to be cancelled.