Ballina protestors left 'confused' by meeting over hotel plans
The Twin Trees Hotel, Ballina
Members of Ballina group opposed to a plan to accommodate 120 asylum seekers at the Twin Trees Hotel have described a meeting with a government representative held yesterday over these plans as a ‘deceitful and deceptive box-ticking exercise.’
Speaking to the Tommy Marren Show on Midwest Radio this morning, Marie Loftus, a spokesperson for Ballina Says No said there was no one from government present at the meeting and instead they met with one civil servant.
“It was a deceitful and deceptive box-ticking exercise. When I asked numerous times what was the objective of the meeting, he said he was here to talk around what was happening in the town,” she said.
She told the Western People they learned prior to the meeting that the contracts have yet to be finalized between the Twin Trees and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth due to an issue with fire compliance certs. However, they were told this may be ironed out soon.
In addition, throughout the meeting she said they were told there was no provision for consulting with people in the locality about these issues. She added they were told that no feasibility studies or assessments had been carried out on the Twin Trees Hotel to determine its suitability.
Ms Loftus said there were other issues around this meeting.
"They were slow to confirm if this meeting would go ahead. When we got to where the meeting would be held, the staff members were not aware there was a meeting and had to find us a meeting room."
"Then as we were leaving, the staff members were asking us about invoices for the meeting room," she said.
"The meeting wasn't a place for consultation, they weren't asking for our opinion. I'm still a bit confused as to why it went ahead."
Ms Loftus said Ballina Says No will hold a public meeting this evening (Thursday) outside the Twin Trees at 8.30pm to hear everyone’s opinions about the situation. She said they hope to arrange a more formal meeting following this, inviting officials and the owners of the hotel.
