Taoiseach Simon Harris has said he “won’t stand” for another “Mount Street situation” to develop in Ireland.

He had previously branded the street as a “makeshift shanty town” after asylum seekers had begun living there in tents to stay close to the International Protection Office.

They were removed as part of a “multi-agency operation” on May 1st, with 290 men relocated to accommodation at Crooksling and Citywest.

Others began pitching tents along the Grand Canal over the weekend, just 400 metres away from Mount Street, where there are now at least 80 tents today.

Tents housing asylum seekers on Mount Street last month. Image: Leah Farrell/© RollingNews.ie

The Taoiseach said there cannot be more “passing the parcel” when it comes to dealing with immigration.

“We won’t again stand for a situation like that in Mount Street,” he said.

“We won’t from a humanitarian point of view, in relation to people who are coming here seeking support, and we also won’t because we have respect for the laws in this country.

“I’m certainly planning on standing by my very clear commitment in relation to not seeing another Mount Steet situation.”

'No way safe'

Tánaiste Micheál Martin said it’s unsafe for asylum seekers to be sleeping on the street in large numbers.

“We’re going to secure further accommodation [for asylum seekers]," he said.

“There is no doubt, in my view, that pitching tents along the canal or street is in no way safe or suitable at all.”

People with suitcases walking by asylum seekers tents along the Grand Canal in Dublin, 4-5-24. Image: Leah Farrell/© RollingNews.ie

A statement from the Department of Integration today said they were making “every effort” to accommodate asylum seekers amid “unprecedented demand”.

“However, the situation remains challenging and the Department cannot provide accommodation to all applicants,” they said.

“A triage process is in place for those who are vulnerable, and an enhanced daily expense allowance is available to those who do not have accommodation.”

The Department also said they have increased staff numbers to “accelerate” the processing of asylum applications.

Figures released to Newstalk today showed that 7,080 asylum seekers have arrived in Ireland in the first four months of the year, up 95% on the same period last year.

Main image: Tents line the Grand Canal. Image: Sasko Lazarov / © RollingNews.ie