Mayo Senator calls for end to hotel reliance for refugees

By Caoimhín Rowland

Senator Lisa Chambers has voiced concerns over Ireland's migration policies, urging for greater clarity and a departure from the prolonged use of hotel rooms for emergency housing.

Speaking on the campaign trail as she vies for a seat in Brussels in the upcoming June elections, Chambers stated the need for Ireland to "get its own house in order" regarding migration issues.

She highlighted the strain placed on communities, particularly in the west of Ireland, due to the continued reliance on hotel accommodations for emergency housing.

"People in the west of Ireland want to see fairness in terms of the burden," Chambers said, noting the detrimental impact on local businesses such as coffee shops, pubs, and restaurants, which rely heavily on tourism.

She stressed the urgency of returning these accommodations to circulation for their intended purposes to support economic recovery in Mayo and beyond.

Chambers highlighted the importance of understanding decisions made at the European level regarding migration and urged for proactive measures to address Ireland's internal challenges in this regard.

Speaking on her reasons to run as an MEP, she said, “I’ve spent 10 years in cabinet, 8 of which I was involved in European affairs.”

The Fianna Fáil senator is campaigning alongside party colleagues Niall Blaney and Barry Cowan, with competition from Fine Gael MEP Maria Walsh in the Border Midlands West constituency.

Walsh had previously criticized Fianna Fáil's ticket as "male, pale, and stale" before Chambers was added to the ticket, setting the stage for a competitive election race.