Kelly hopes for ‘common sense’ amid Traveller rehousing row

Minister for Environment says negotiations ongoing over Rockwell Drive opposition

Minister for Environment Alan Kelly hopes "common sense will prevail" in the bid to secure temporary rehousing for families in the aftermath of the Carrickmines fire.

Attempts to move the members of the Travelling community to a temporary site in Rockville Drive in Co Dublin have been met with opposition from some residents.

Mr Kelly stressed the site that had been selected would not provide permanent accommodation.

“There’s lots of different commentary and I think we need to be very careful of some of this commentary, especially on a day like today. Obviously it’s a very emotional day,” he said.

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The first funerals of the 10 people who died in the fire at the halting site in Carrickmines, Dublin, will be held on Tuesday.

Speaking on his way into Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting, Mr Kelly said discussions were continuing to resolve the row.

"We met in my Department yesterday and discussed this at length again. Dun Laoghaire County Council are looking at negotiating a way in which this can be dealt with," he said.

“I support the local authority manager 100 per cent in her actions and I’m hoping that common sense will prevail here.

“Remember that this is a temporary site. It is not a site that is going to be there permanently and I think that should be borne in mind,” he said.

Mary Minihan

Mary Minihan

Mary Minihan is Features Editor of The Irish Times