Fianna Fáil TD for Donegal Charlie McConalogue has called on the Government to give a firm commitment that a MICA redress scheme will be set up immediately.
He made the comments following an appearance on Prime Time to discuss the issue with Junior Housing Minister Damien English.
The flagship RTE programme travelled to Donegal once again to look at the impact of MICA on the lives of those affected.
“I find it extremely frustrating that after a delay of more than a year in the publication of this report, despite the fact that it has been sitting on the Minister’s desk, he is still unable to commit to a redress scheme for the families affected by defective MICA blocks. Minister English continued to skirt around the issue last night, refusing to give a firm commitment that the government will move to establish a Redress Scheme”, said Deputy McConalogue.
“Last night the extent of the problem was highlighted in graphic detail – the audience witnessed a hole being kicked into the supporting bricks of a house with ease. Not only is this worrying, it is dangerous. We need to see the State intervene to help the people whose homes are crumbling around them.
“Minister English was keen to point out that his colleague Minister Joe McHugh is pushing for a redress scheme. However Minister McHugh must make his new role at Cabinet count by ensuring that his colleagues adopt the same position and ensure that nothing less than a redress scheme is developed and implemented without further delays.
“I have called on the Government to use the existing structure of the Pyrite Resolution Board to implement a MICA Resolution Scheme and I believe that this is the best way of ensuring that an effective scheme can be developed and commenced as soon as possible. I will continue to pressurise the Government until they act on this issue,” concluded Deputy McConalogue.
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