Politicians invited to face homeowners at major defective concrete crisis gathering

Donegal’s politicians have been urged to attend a major meeting this Tuesday to give their response to ‘The People’s Document’.

The document, created by a cross-campaign group, sets out four principles of ‘true 100% Redress’ and addresses areas where the government’s enhanced scheme falls short. The document calls for ‘like for like’ home rebuilds; a government managed, cost-free process with self-built opt out; inclusive supports for all those affected; and prevention of similar crises.

The People’s Document was issued to all public representatives in the Dail, Seanad, European Parliament and to local Councillors in Donegal earlier this month.

Politicians have been asked to meet homeowners at the Inishowen Gateway Hotel, Buncrana 7pm on Tuesday 26th March to respond to the campaign.

Well known campaigner Michael Doherty states “Following a hugely well attended public meeting on the 4th March, invaluable input from those impacted by this disaster was gathered and incorporated into the draft document to produce The People’s Document.

“The People’s Document is a powerful and clear statement, informed by those living through this horror, setting out the principles of a True DCB 100% Redress to ensure everyone affected has a genuine and fair pathway out of this scourge. The meeting on Tuesday is an important next step in seeking clarity from all politicians and political parties in their response to the document.”

Following its compilation earlier this month, the campaign joint initiative ensured The People’s Document was emailed to every TD, Senator, Irish MEP, Donegal Councillor and political parties head offices requesting a written response by Monday 25th March and inviting them to address homeowners directly on Tuesday 26th.

Paddy Diver of 100% Redress No Less states, “It is vital everyone affected by the Defective Concrete Crisis attends the meeting on Tues 26th March. We had brilliant turnout on the 4th March and we need that again and more. We have even moved the meeting to a larger venue to ensure we can accommodate a big crowd. This is a unique opportunity to hear politicians respond to The People’s Document and for those affected to put their questions directly to the politicians.

“We cannot guarantee that all Donegal public representatives will turn up, that’s ultimately up to them, but that in itself will reveal where one of the most serious issues our county has ever experienced sits in their priorities.”

Roisin Gallagher of Redress Focus Groups adds, “The attendance of hundreds of homeowners at the meeting on the 4th March underlined how much this process is needed. Government rhetoric about the DCB Scheme is designed to communicate a false narrative and mislead the country to believe that the scheme is 100% Redress, while the reality is the scheme is designed to exclude, deny and abandon people in desperate situations. Politicians can arrogantly disregard homeowners’ lived experience or they can genuinely listen, do the right thing and commit to implement a True 100% Redress Scheme as set out clearly in The People’s Document.”

With the Local Council and European elections in early June 2024 and a General Election that must happen within the next year, Lisa Hone of MAG urges all those eligible to vote to ensure they do so.

Lisa said: “The People’s Document demands clarity from politicians and political parties of what they are prepared to deliver in this important election year – which in turn will inform homeowners before they cast their votes. This crisis has already been allowed to grind on unresolved for far too long. After two failed schemes and years of bitter experience, homeowners know what is needed. Broad brush pledges that are open to interpretation are just not going to cut it, those affected need to see real commitment on how the specifics would be delivered for politicians to earn their vote.”