The Government may be forced to abandon its controversial plan to accommodate asylum-seekers in so-called flotels, due to strong objections from port authorities around the State.
Ministers have been told that the plan to use floating accommodation, such as that used in the Netherlands and Denmark, may be temporarily deferred due to vigorous opposition from different ports, including Waterford, Dublin and Sligo.
However, it is understood the Minister for Justice, Mr O'Donoghue, has told port authorities in recent days that he wanted the Government's wishes adhered to. With no decrease in the number of asylum-seekers entering the State, he is anxious that he has the flotel option in reserve if the accommodation crisis increases.
However, privately, several Ministers would like to see the flotel plan abandoned.
The ports are objecting to the proposals on various grounds, including tidal conditions, sewage problems, berthing, fire safety and security.
"If there are genuine difficulties, the Minister wants the ports to do all in their power to overcome them. He will be pressing them on this matter," said a Government source.
Mr O'Donoghue informed Ministers just before Easter that the flotel option was on the back burner for the moment to deal with the port objections.
Meanwhile, documents released to The Irish Times under the Freedom of Information Act reveal that fire advisers at the Office of Public Works and the Department of the Environment have expressed strong reservations about fire safety in flotels and so-called pavilions.
An OPW report on fire safety on such a vessel visited in the Netherlands in March said: "Fire brigade access may be a problem, as generally the flotels are only accessed from one side by three gangways."
The report added: "The use of water for fire-fighting can have a detrimental effect on the stability of the boat. The relevant local authority fire brigade should be contacted to discuss each particular case."
Access to water hydrants would depend on the port mooring site, according to the report, undertaken by an inspector from the OPW's fire and security section.
The same inspector expressed serious concerns about fire safety at pavilion structures viewed in the Netherlands. The pavilions are one of the temporary options being considered by the Government for asylum-seekers.
The report said the structure inspected would not "meet fire safety standards applied to other more permanent buildings".
"In particular the lack of fire separation anywhere in the structure would not be acceptable in any other type of accommodation. This is critical as these structures may be subject to fire safety certificates.
"It should be noted that the tents would not meet the requirements necessary to achieve fire certification. It should also be noted that this type of accommodation is the least desirable in terms of fire safety afforded to occupants."
A letter to the OPW from the Department of the Environment housing section said a Department fire adviser expressed concern about the use of pavilions with canvas-type covers.