Mediation talks are to take place in an attempt to resolve the ongoing row over a former hotel in Rosslare, Co Wexford which the Government plans to use to accommodate hundreds of asylum-seekers.
Local people have been staging a protest since mid-November against the proposal for the former Great Southern Hotel, saying they want the nursing home initially earmarked for the property to go ahead rather than a new centre for International Protection Applicants.
Rosslare is already home to two centres for asylum-seekers as well as many Ukrainian families who are being accommodated in another local hotel.
A number of large rallies have taken place in Rosslare since November, while the Save Our Nursing Home Group have maintained a constant presence outside the Great Southern property during the intervening period.
The planning status of the building has to be resolved by An Bord Pleanála, with local people arguing that there would have to be a formal application for change of use if it is to be developed as a refugee accommodation centre.
Now it is being reported that mediation talks are to be held to try to resolve the issues at stake, with an offer of initiating this process made to the campaign group.
An initial meeting with a mediator is expected to take place tomorrow night.
"The aim of this," Councillor Ger Carthy is quoted locally in the Wexford People as saying, "is to explore possible pathways for a solution to this impasse which has gone on for more than 60 days now. I would hope that through a course of meaningful negotiation, we can bring this to a successful conclusion."
He said the process "may or not bear fruit" but that it's important to keep the lines of communication open.
