An independent candidate for the Midlands–North-West says the Government's handling of the accommodation crisis around asylum seekers has been "disastrous".
The former RTÉ Midlands Correspondent, Ciaran Mullooly, said their solutions are "lazy" and completely disregard the tourism sector.
He has been travelling around the country in the lead up to the election on Friday and says he has heard first-hand the issues people deal with in his constituency.
In an interview with BreakingNews.ie, Mr Mullooly spoke about his recent visit to Drogheda, where people are still reeling from the decision to use the town's biggest hotel (D-hotel) as a centre for asylum seekers.
“We were there [Drogheda] last Thursday, and speaking to people in the town about it. I think it highlights the laziness of the Government in dealing with this issue.”
“We spoke to people in the restaurant and bars in the precinct of the hotel whose business is basically gone.”
He said there were a number of opportunities to house asylum seekers elsewhere, but in the case of Drogheda they "went ahead and pushed it all through without any consultation with the local tourism sector".
Mr Mullooly said people are "absolutely livid" about the decision, and it has had a major impact on tourism in the town.
While walking around town speaking to local businesses, he said people were "furious" and the passing trade they had from the hotel was great for them.
Rural issues
On the other issues he encounters, he said farmers' biggest concern at the moment is Nitrates Derogation.
It allows farmers to exceed the limit of 170 kg of livestock manure nitrogen per hectare set down in the Nitrates Regulations, up to a maximum of 220 kg or 250 kg per hectare, subject to adherence to stricter rules.
Starting from later this year, there will be water quality checks by the EU Commission on a quarterly basis.
Ultimately, the EU will decide whether to accept the application from Ireland to extend the Nitrates Derogation.
The majority of MEP candidates have backed the extension, but Fianna Fáil’s Barry Andrews said on RTÉ's Prime Time on Tuesday night he did not support extending it.
“That is a huge issue," said Mullooly. "I have farmers coming up to me who talk about it. While ultimately it is about water quality, it will become about land."
Nitrates Derogation
He said if he was elected, the first thing he would do is to invite the new EU Environment Commissioner to a farm in Ireland to see what is involved.
Mullooly said if the Nitrates Derogation disappears "it would create a land war in Ireland".
“Farmers will be forced to review their stocking numbers on their land without a derogation. If they have not got enough land, they will have to buy new land.”
“There is fear amongst smaller farmers that dairy farmers who earn more and have more money would just start buying up land," he said.
When it came to who he would represent in the European elections, he did not want to have to fall in line with any party consensus.
“In my case in Europe, I am not going to vote in the Dáil on budgetary issues. Being part of Europe means you have a much broader view of things.”
“It allows me to have much more flexibility.”
He said that when canvassing, being an Independent helps him. “The first thing they ask is are you ‘Fianna Fáil or Fine Gael?’ When I tell them I am an Independent, then they will talk to me.”
