Taoiseach Simon Harris has spoken of his determination to bring a "whole-of-government approach" in relation to addressing the "very significant challenge" the State is facing regarding accommodation for asylum seekers.
During a visit to Fermoy, Co Cork, Mr Harris said he has "inherited a very challenging situation".
"I have been Taoiseach for around a month. Since then, I have convened a multi-agency group on two occasions.
"We have seen very significant progress made in terms of around 450 people who were living in tents on Mount Street and Grand Canal being provided with safer, better accommodation and access to sanitation, public health emergency in Mount Street in many ways being averted.
"We also have to be honest though with people. The situation around accommodation is extremely challenging and I think we do need to look at all the levers of the State’s disposal in terms of what is sustainable migration policy."
Mr Harris said that they have been looking at accommodation on a "several times of day basis".
"So yes, we are looking at accommodation on a daily basis, on a several-times-a-day basis and I do expect to see more responses coming on stream.
"We will not have a situation where these encampments are allowed to fester and go on for weeks and weeks and months and months, as was the case in Mount Street. That is not acceptable to me. But yes, issues will arise.
"Tents will appear, and the Government will work with agencies on a multi-agency approach – none of this siloed stuff – to resolve these issues.
"I am working really intensively with colleagues across government to come forward with proposals in relation to that and I hope to have more news on that in the days ahead."
Mr Harris emphasised the need to be conscious of the fact that there may be vulnerable people coming to our country seeking protection.
"They have a right to be allowed to go through that process and everybody should abide by the laws of the land in all circumstances. Immigration has benefited this country, immigration continues to benefit this country. People do also want to know though that we have a rules-based system.
"They want to know that when someone comes here, they can be processed quickly, that they can get a yes and that if they get a yes, be integrated and make their contribution to Irish society, but equally if they get a no, that the rules also work in relation to that.
"I think my responsibility as Taoiseach coordinating a whole-of-government response is to show people that there are rules in place, that the system does work, that the system is more efficient and that it is fair and firm. That is really what I am focused on doing in the days ahead. I am determined to provide leadership in relation to this."
He added that the situation had been "somewhat allowed fester" on Mount Street for "many weeks and in to months" which he emphasised "cannot be allowed to happen again".
"We are in an extremely challenging situation in relation to accommodation. We are seeing a very large number of people come to our country and this country needs to be honest in terms of the constraints we are facing regarding accommodation.
"So I am satisfied that there will be more accommodation solutions coming on stream. I think we have to be honest about a lot of that may look like tents with sanitation on public sites but a more safe environment from both a public health point of view and from a legal point of view."
