Encampment at Grand Canal not comparable to Mount Street's 'tent village'

The Taoiseach indicated that people would not be permitted to stay at the Grand Canal in the long term, saying a situation similar to Mount Street would not occur. Picture: Stephen Collins/Collins Photos

Taoiseach Simon Harris has said that an encampment of asylum seekers at the Grand Canal is not comparable to a previous ‘tent village’ on Mount Street, saying that it was “very nearly a public health emergency”.

Speaking ahead of a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, Mr Harris said that the previous situation on Mount Street had been “utterly unacceptable”, due to the large numbers of people who were living on the street for several weeks.

The Taoiseach indicated that people would not be permitted to stay at the Grand Canal in the long term, saying a situation similar to Mount Street would not occur.

“Let me be very clear, what's happening in other parts of the city isn't comparable. What happened in Mount Street was allowed to go on for weeks and weeks, months and months in fact,” Mr Harris said.

“This will not be the situation in relation to the Grand Canal. Yes, from time to time, situations will emerge because its’s a very, very difficult and challenging combination situation.

“We won't again stand for a situation in relation to Mount Street," he said.

“We also won't because we have respect for the laws in this country, in terms of people being able to move on pavements and pathways.” 

Simon Harris: We won't again stand for a situation in relation to Mount Street. Picture: Liam McBurney/PA

Mr Harris said there was currently a “multi-agency” meeting underway regarding the encampment on the Grand Canal.

The Taoiseach said he was “very confident” that progress would be made on finding new sites for people to “safely sleep, safely live and safely access sanitation facilities”.

On Ireland’s migration policy, Mr Harris said the Government needed to examine every policy lever to ensure there is a “sustainable migration system”.

“The Government needs to look at this from all perspectives: processing time, deportations, and giving people a quicker answer,” Mr Harris said.

“Do you have a right to be here? Yes, you do and be integrated. Do you have a right to be here? No, you don't and being asked to leave our country.

“So it has to be that balanced, firm approach.”