Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The Government has finally commenced the revised scheme for the many victims of the defective blocks scandal. This time last year, the affected homeowners told the Taoiseach that the legislation underpinning this scheme was seriously deficient and that many families would be left behind as a result. The Taoiseach did not listen. At that time, we in Sinn Féin, and indeed Members across the Opposition, submitted 80 amendments on behalf of homeowners. The Government rejected every single one of them, pleading at the time that this was urgent, that we needed to move on and that we had no time to consider these amendments. Yet, here we are one year on, and another year has been wasted for these devastated families.

Next Thursday, the homeowners’ representatives from counties Donegal, Mayo and Clare will be before the housing committee. They will spell out the changes that need to be made to this legislation and to the scheme. Will the Taoiseach finally listen to them and act on their demands for justice and fairness?

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