Senator Niall Blaney has hit out at those he claims have ‘misconstrued’ his comments about mica affected homeowners.
Sen Blaney was slated for certain statements he made in an interview with Highland Radio this morning.
The Donegal Senator told the Nine til Noon Show that he ‘completely’ disagrees with Deputy Joe McHugh’s view that a 100% Mica Redress Scheme should be sanctioned.
He also said a lot of Donegal homeowners built their own houses, without them being properly overseen by a qualified engineer. However, he claims some people have been using the last comment to say he was criticising affected homeowners.
“There has been a lot of controversy around my Highland interview this morning,” Sen Blaney said this evening.
“I spoke about engineers and home bonds – I come from an engineering background myself. I had simply explained that a lot of people had built their homes using direct labour. But, some people are saying that meant I was criticising homeowners. That was never the case – my comments are being misconstrued and I wish people would stop doing that.”
Sen Blaney stood over his view that a 100% mica redress scheme was not needed and that the current one should be given time to work.
“I simply want what’s best for the people of Donegal. If the current scheme is scrapped, it would take months, at least, to set up a new one,” he said.
“A lot of people are ready to go with the existing scheme and we need to keep working with that. We could sit back and say nothing, but Charlie McConalogue and myself brought in this (redress scheme) and we are making a change for the people of Donegal. I deplore anyone who says I am against mica affected homeowners,” he concluded.
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