Deputy Charles Ward has expressed deep disappointment over the absence of key public representatives and Donegal County Council staff at the recent Defective Concrete Conference.
The event was held last weekend as part of the Ulster Talks series, and the conference was designed to address the ongoing humanitarian crisis impacting our communities.
“With the aim of fostering direct engagement between civil servants, councillors, TDs, and affected residents, the conference was a crucial platform for discussions on solutions to this pressing issue,” Deputy Ward said.
“Despite the open and inclusive nature of the event, attendance from key figures was notably sparse. Of those who did attend, several left prematurely, raising concerns about the commitment of governmental bodies to addressing the crisis.”
The limited presence of public representatives, he added, sent a clear message that this crisis is not being prioritised as it should be.
“The communities impacted by defective concrete have organised initiatives like this conference to ensure transparent dialogue and collective problem solving and knowledge sharing,” he said.
“The absence of key decision makers is not only disappointing but also unacceptable. Communities facing the defective concrete crisis have long awaited meaningful action and have worked tirelessly to create spaces for collaborative solutions. The organisers and attendees hope that this missed opportunity will serve as a wake-up call for public representatives to engage sincerely with those affected.”
Deputy Ward concluded by urging all relevant parties to recommit to addressing the crisis with urgency and transparency, ensuring that those impacted are not left in limbo any longer.
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