Updated: 10.20am
Mica redress campaigners have planned two protests this weekend during An Taoiseach Micheál Martin’s visit to the north west.
The Fianna Fáil leader is attending events in Derry and Letterkenny this Friday and Saturday.
Mica homeowners, frustrated with a lack of progress and a lack of answers on the enhanced scheme, plan to make their voices be heard by gathering outside the events.
Commenting on the Taoiseach’s visit, Minister McConalogue said “I gave the chair of MAG my assurances that a meeting was always going to take place. I was talking to the chair and made it very clear that I would ensure that a meeting would be part of an Taoiseach’s visit. It is a big issue for Donegal, for an Taoiseach and for me and the idea that he would not meet mica campaigners when in the County is preposterous. It was always part of the equation.”
Mr Doherty said the aim of the protest is to ensure homeowners are not ignored and that their 13 pages of unanswered questions are answered.
“It will not be speeches. It will be a dignified protest. I would call on as many people to get out on Saturday and be there and be counted,” he said.
“I’ve never seen more frustration from people at this point in time. Let’s do something useful with that frustration.”
The Letterkenny protest is scheduled for 11.45am this Saturday at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Letterkenny, where Mr Martin will be attending the Letterkenny Chamber President’s Lunch at noon.
Meanwhile, this Friday evening, holiday homeowners left out of the Mica scheme are mobilising to protest outside the Playhouse in Derry. Mr Martin will be the keynote speaker at an event organised by the John & Pat Hume Foundation.