Consultation is not the same thing as a power of veto, clearly. Saying we will have a Zoom call with people about something that happened and that, by the way, we are not for changing is not consultation either. A community in Inch approached me and a member of the Tánaiste’s party because they saw works being done. We asked what was happening on their behalf but got no answer. In Scarriff, where I come from, works are being done on the former Clare Lakelands Hotel, which was last used to house asylum seekers a long time ago. I have asked the question but received no answer. This morning, it was confirmed that for five weeks there has been consultation with the community in Santry about what is proposed there. Why is there consultation for some and not for others? Is it that the strong do what they can and the weak suffer what they must or is there a more palatable reason for the consultation with some communities and not others?

I thank the Deputy and Senators for joining me at the online meeting yesterday. At that meeting I recognised that the information provision timeline was really tight. The reason for that was the need to house people, in light of the fact we have people on the streets at the moment.

Was time not tight in Santry?

I recognise that causes difficulty for the Deputy and elected representatives in terms of the engagement there. I reiterate that I and the Minister, Deputy Darragh O’Brien, are happy to engage with the delegation of residents to discuss and address some of the issues. I have to be honest; we need to use this accommodation. The accommodation is suitable. I do not want to be putting inaccurate-----

That is not the question I asked. Why is there a consultation with some people and not with others? That is the question.

Resume your seat, Deputy.

I know how tight it is. I know there is an emergency. Do not patronise me.

I am really not patronising you, Deputy.

Just tell me why there is consultation in some parts of the country and not others.

Will you resume your seat, Deputy?

Can I get an answer?

No.

No answers. Then people are right to protest, are they not?

If you were not shouting, you might have got a reply.

What alternatives do they have?

Please, Deputy. I call Deputy Paul Murphy.