THERE can be no further hiding place for the government on Donegal’s crumbling homes crisis, a leading politician has said.
Donegal Sinn Féin Senator Pádraig Mac Lochlainn welcomed the RTE Primetime report on the muscovite mica crisis in Donegal aired last night.
Senator Mac Lochlainn said “there can be no further hiding place for our government” after the airing of the report by the national broadcaster.
He also commended the Mica Action Group of affected Donegal families on their “determined campaign for justice” that has now reached a national audience.
He said: “This crisis that has devatatated so many families in Donegal is the result of a profound failure of State regulation. The evidence in tonight’s report was overwhelming and there can be no further hiding place for our government.
“Sinn Féin public representatives in Donegal have relentlessly pursued this issue over the last number of years and we will not rest until a real solution for so many Donegal families is found”.
He continued: “In recent weeks, I have repeatedly raised my concerns about the limited terms of reference given to the expert panel, currently tasked with investigating the extent of the mica crisis in Donegal.
“Let’s be clear. What is required is a Mica Redress Scheme that provides financial support to the families in Donegal so that they can rebuild their homes and make them safe for their families.
“Sinn Féin now calls on Minister Simon Coveney to immediately meet with a cross party delegation from Donegal County Council as they have requested.
“No doubt last night’s revelations of internal Donegal County Council communications on the scale of the mica damage to the council’s housing stock will only have heightened the concern of those councillors.
“It is not acceptable for Minister Coveney to maintain a position that Donegal County Council foots what will undoubtedly be a massive bill to rebuild these council homes.
“The State must step up to the plate. The Minister and his government must step up to the plate”.
See our report on last night’s programme here:
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