Tipperary IPAS centre to continue operating despite planning exemption being quashed
Despite the High Court’s decision to quash a planning exemption for Dundrum House Hotel, the Tipperary IPAS centre will continue operating, the Taoiseach has said.
A Section 5 planning exemption issued by Tipperary County Council for Dundrum House Hotel was quashed by the High Court, which prompted calls for the IPAS centre at the former Tipperary hotel to be immediately shut down.
A Section 5 is a formal request made to a local authority to determine if a proposed development is exempt from requiring planning permission under Irish law.
Tipperary County Council granted a Section 5 declaration to Dundrum House Hotel on January 12 of this year, allowing it to be used as an IPAS centre.
This was challenged in the High Court by the Dundrum Heritage Group.
A second Section 5 order has since been requested and this has been referred by Tipperary County Council to An Coimisiún Pleanála. A decision is due by March 13.
The ruling triggered political backlash, with calls for the centre to be shut down immediately.
Speaking in the Dáil, South Tipperary TD Mattie McGrath asked Taoiseach Micheál Martin if the Government would see to it that the IPAS centre at the site be immediately closed.
"Will [the Taoiseach’s] Government immediately revoke the IPAS contract for Dundrum House Hotel in light of the High Court ruling? Will he confirm that no further taxpayers' money will be paid under the contract, which has no legal foundation whatsoever?” Deputy McGrath questioned.
In response, the Taoiseach said that the former hotel would continue to operate as an IPAS centre since contracts and leases are still in place.
"The Department is saying, based on the fact that the contract and leases were and still are in place, that IPAS is continuing to use the property,” the Taoiseach said.
"If any action should be required as a result of any court proceedings, this will be addressed by officials as appropriate,” he added.
Deputy McGrath has called for Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan to meet with him and Fine Gael TD for South Tipperary Michael Murphy, to discuss issues at the site.
"I want the Taoiseach to instruct the Minister, Deputy Jim O'Callaghan, to meet Deputy Murphy and me. We have been trying to meet him to look at this situation urgently,” Deputy McGrath said.
The Taoiseach said that Minister O’Callaghan would be happy to meet with the south Tipperary TDs.
"I will ask the Minister to meet the Deputy and his colleagues,” the Taoiseach added.