Donegal Deputy Charles Ward has said comments by a senior Department of Housing official against defective concrete homeowners are ‘attempts to vilify people fighting for justice’.
Deputy Ward of the 100% Redress Party was responding to damning remarks by Aine Stapleton, Assistant Secretary in the Department’s Housing Policy and Standards Division.
Writing in reference to homeowners on the defective concrete block scheme, Ms Stapleton said that “at times, the campaign can border on the intimidatory”.
Ms Stapleton was writing to Engineers Ireland secretary general Damien Owens at the time, disputing his comments on TG4’s Iniúchadh documentary in November which referenced the Housing Agency’s practice of downgrading remediation recommendations.
In a response, Mr Owens said he concurred with Ms Stapleton’s assessment “that the environment around this topic has become somewhat intimidatory”, adding that a protest at Engineers Ireland offices “upset staff members greatly”.
The comments, as revealed by the Sunday Independent in December, have been strongly rejected by campaigners.
“I categorically reject these baseless accusations,” said Deputy Charles Ward. “The protests I attended were respectful and orderly. Suggesting otherwise is an insult to homeowners courageously standing up for their rights.’
Deputy Ward has now written to the Housing Agency asking it to clarify its position.
“The claim that advocacy efforts are “bordering on the intimidatory” is a blatant misrepresentation,” he said.
“Homeowners have shown remarkable restraint and dignity. Such remarks are utterly unacceptable.”
September 2024: Donegal Homeowners staged a protest at Engineers Ireland. Photo: Mica Action Group
Deputy Ward said his letter raised other pressing issues, such as claims that homeowners are being “stonewalled” when they make FOI requests, as well as a lack of transparency on the technical review of downgraded homes.
Deputy Ward has also demanded immediate updates from the Housing Agency on 143 appeals that are pending review.
“Families cannot wait indefinitely while living in unsafe homes,” he said.
“The Housing Agency’s failure to provide clarity and fairness is unacceptable,” said Ward. “These families deserve respect and action, not deflection and delay. I will not tolerate attempts to vilify homeowners who are simply fighting for justice.”
Deputy Ward pledged to continue holding the Housing Agency accountable and ensuring affected families are treated with dignity.
“These families have endured enough. I will not rest until they receive the transparency and justice they deserve.”
