Members of the 100% Redress Party have walked out of a special plenary meeting of Donegal County Council today, citing their frustration over inaction on defective concrete housing.
Councillors Tomás Seán Devine, Ali Farren, Joy Beard and Denis McGee said they were “sick and tired” sitting in meetings without any confirmation of the Housing Minister visiting Donegal.
Speaking on behalf of the party members, Letterkenny councillor Tomás Seán Devine expressed anger over the lack of government action on a remediation scheme for social housing tenants, as well as the lack of plans for modular housing in Donegal.
“There is no scheme, no temporary accommodation, no plan of action for social housing tenants, nothing,” said Cllr Devine.
“It’s a shambles, I don’t believe that the council is putting enough push on the government to activate this.
“We didn’t come here to become penpals, sending emails and letters to government that don’t even answer anyone.”
Today’s plenary meeting is discussing housing capital projects across the county and is available to watch online.
Speaking after the walk-out, Cllr Devine explained that the decision to leave the meeting was a collective one, aimed at demonstrating the deep frustration, anger and disappointment felt by those living through the crisis. He added: “The people who voted for the 100% Redress Party wanted us to send a strong message to the government and that is exactly what we are trying to do. But we also need the government party councillors to start standing up for Donegal. It’s time they demanded that their elected Ministers put Donegal on the agenda.”
Councillors pointed out that the Housing Minister, since his appointment, has made time to attend events in Wexford and Dublin, but Donegal remains ignored.
“We are sick and tired of sitting here month after month, while the biggest housing and humanitarian crisis in Europe is blatantly being ignored by the Housing Minister,” said Cllr Devine.
Cllr Denis McGee added: “The Minister’s failure to engage is a disgrace, his silence is deafening.”
Supporting the councillors’ protest, Charles Ward TD said: “The meeting with the Minister has been promised for months but has come to nothing. People in Donegal deserve better than broken promises.”
