Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I acknowledge those who travelled to Dublin today, mainly from Donegal and Mayo, to demand, rightly, 100% redress. None of us in the Chamber can imagine the horror of looking at the walls of our homes as they split, as gaps appear between the walls and the floor and as holes open up beside doors and windows. None of us can imagine that awful pain in the pit of our stomachs.

I thank Sinn Féin for this timely and important motion and I recognise that the Government is not opposing it. I will table an amendment to include homeowners in County Sligo. I hope that it will be accepted by all. I have written to the Minister of State about this issue. I ask that he meet all four of the Deputies from the constituency. Nearly two months ago, Sligo County Council also wrote to the Minister of State about this matter. Blocks containing pyrite and mica do not respect county boundaries. Homeowners in west Sligo suffer the same as those in Mayo and homeowners in north Sligo suffer the same as those in Donegal.

The current schemes are inadequate. People are being asked to spend large amounts of money on reports and assessments and there is no provision for renting accommodation, storage, etc. I support the view that those who are responsible should be held responsible, but it is crucial that the Government provide a safety net for citizens and deal with those who bear the responsibility.

See this speech in context