Immigration: Communities must be heard on placement of Ipas centres – Tánaiste

Simon Harris was responding to reports that the Department of Justice was considering legislation to curtail the ability of members of the public to object to centres for asylum seekers

Tánaiste and finance minister Simon Harris: 'I think the voices of communities, engaging with communities, actually help enhance social cohesion — and I would be concerned about anything that would in any way dampen down the voices of communities.' Picture: Brian Lawless/PA

Communities must be heard on the placement of asylum seeker centres, the Tánaiste has said.

Reports on Sunday suggested that the Department of Justice and minister Jim O’Callaghan are considering legislation that would curtail the ability of members of the public to object to several major proposed International Protection Accommodation Service (Ipas) centres across the country.