AN independent panel of
experts is to investigate the issue of defective
blocks in Co Donegal.
The announcement was made this morning by Minister
of State, Joe McHugh who said the independent panel
had been sanctioned by the Minister for Housing,
Paudie Coffey.
Mr Coffey saw first hand damage to properties on a
visit to Inishowen earlier this year.
Hundreds of properties across the county including
some Donegal County Council housing stock are
affected by the problem.
Today's development has been welcomed by Mica Action
Group (MAG) campaigners.
“This is a very important step in the MAG campaign
for redress for affected homeowners in Donegal. In
setting up a panel, the Government recognises the
magnitude of the issue we are facing and is
comparable with the process offered to homeowners in
Dublin, Kildare, Meath and Offaly, whose homes were
built with defective subfloors, more commonly
referred to as the pyrite issue” said MAG chairman
Phil McDaid.
While the terms of reference are yet to be
established, MAG is hopeful that the issues to be
addressed will include an exploration of the scale
of the problem; a review of the building control
system; stakeholder activity and responsibilities;
research into technical solutions and
recommendations.
MAG acknowledged the work of Deputy McHugh and all
Donegal TDs who helped push their cause forward.
The group said they would continue to work with the
Government to ensure that the independent panel is
established as soon as possible. Other issues such
as the Local Property Tax and the fact that some
families could not get home insurance because of the
problem, remained among the key areas to be
addressed, said MAG. |
