The Mica Action Group said it is ‘inexcusable’ that the Housing Minister and the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) have not acted on scientific research into the defective concrete issue in Donegal.
Campaigners have today called for remediation recommendations to be reviewed to allow for the replacement of foundations.
They are also urging the authorities to acknowledge the primary cause of the defective concrete as internal sulphate attack, rather than the IS 465’s hypothesis for concrete decay in Donegal being mica freeze/thaw.
The most recent findings come from research commissioned by the GSI into the issue of defective concrete in Ireland.
MAG says the research results are undeniable.
The group has today written to both Darragh O’Brien Minister for Housing and Geraldine Larkin CEO of the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) to ask if they are deliberately withholding critical information.
MAG recently obtained a statement as a result of a freedom of information request showing that the Geological Survey Ireland (GSI) sent a statement to the NSAI in the 4th quarter of 2023, concerning research results which they regarded of as “sufficient importance to identify in advance of final receipt of outcomes”.
According to MAG, the contents of the statement reveal that all research partners agree that their scientific research evidence the primary cause of the defective concrete issue in Donegal as internal sulphate attack as a result of excessive pyrrhotite in the concrete aggregate. It goes on to state the pattern of building damage within Donegal properties are consistent with test results from properties in Mayo and are characteristic of blocks affected by internal sulphate attack (ISA).
The statement also details that “pyrrhotite has been consistently identified within the strip foundations examined from affected buildings” and that “liberated pyrrhotite identified within the strip foundations shows early evidence of oxidation…. indicating incipient ISA. This is considerably less advanced than in the rising wall but does pose a long term risk.”
Chair of MAG Lisa Hone states, “We sought information about the status of the on-going research via FOIs as we are increasingly exasperated and concerned about seeing homeowners in Donegal pushed towards inappropriate remediation recommendations, particularly partial remediations, based on the now discredited IS465 as opposed to the latest science. Remediation decisions have to be science led to ensure that homes will not fail again and that this issue is eliminated from every aspect of homeowners’ lives.”
Ms Hone adds: “The research partners are all clearly saying homes in Donegal are cracking and crumbling for exactly the same reason as in Mayo, internal sulphate attack not because of freeze/thaw. And despite Government expert opinion saying otherwise, the research has revealed that there is a risk to poured concrete foundations – not to act on such clear information with immediate effect is negligent and reckless.”
