Campaigners for a 100% redress scheme for homeowners affected by defective blocks in Donegal have sent a copy of what they call The People's Document to all TDs and senators, as well as every councillor in the county.
The document, completed following a public meeting held on Monday 4 March in Burt, includes input from those who attended.
The organisers of the event say it "sets out the key principles of how a true 100% redress scheme needs to work to ensure all those affected by the Irish Defective Concrete Crisis have a tangible way forward".
A letter sent with the document asks the public representatives for a response by Monday 25 March in which they state how they and/or their political party will support the principles and practical requirements detailed.
They have also been invited to another public meeting of homeowners on Tuesday 26 March at 7pm in the Gateway Hotel, Buncrana, where, the organisers say, they will have the opportunity to communicate their response.
The campaigners say that key issues highlighted in the document include:
- The scheme is clearly not 100% redress, leaving families with even the most modest of homes with shortfalls of tens of thousands of euro.
- The recommended remediations do not take into account scientific research evidence that the root cause of the issue is internal sulphate attack in all counties, not mica freeze thaw.
- The scheme discriminates against those who have limited resources or complex circumstances. Whether that be economic means, physical and/or mental health issues or those who are dealing with disability.
- The scheme does not guarantee that all homes will be fully mortgageable, insurable, and saleable at market value post remediation, thus does not guarantee that this issue will be eliminated from families' lives.
Paddy Diver, of the 100% Redress No Less group, said: "It was incredible to see so many people turn up for the meeting last Monday, it was standing room only, which sends a very clear message in itself - the DCB (Defective Concrete Blocks) scheme is falling way short of what it needs to deliver.
"The Government have had two opportunities to get this scheme right and they have messed up because they refuse to listen to the people that are going through this desperate situation.
"This is the People’s Document because it reflects back what they know is needed to ensure no one is left behind."
Campaigner Michael Doherty described how the views of those at the meeting were incorporated into the original draft document.
He said: "We have gone through every single comment whether written or verbal and done our best to ensure that they are woven into the principles of the document and ensure the people’s voices are heard.
"Every single public representative in the Dáil and Seanad has received a copy of this document plus local councillors in Donegal.
"We are also conscious of the full support of the Dáil on 15th June 2021 when a 100% Redress Motion was passed unopposed. We had politicians from all over the country voicing their full support for 100% redress on the stage at both mass rallies in Dublin and we look forward to their continued support in delivering a true 100% redress as defined by the people."
Earlier today, a separate body, the 100% Redress Party, announced its first candidate to contest the local elections in June.
Tomas Sean Devine, who is chair of the party, will stand for a seat in his native Letterkenny, Co Donegal.
The party said other candidates for the local elections will be announced in the coming weeks.
