Charles Ward (Donegal, 100% Redress Party)

The Government must abolish the concrete levy for families rebuilding their homes. This is a priority. Homeowners cannot be punished because it is not their fault. The level of injustice cannot be ignored, especially when we are faced with so many examples of Government overspend. The Government has handled this crisis in a completely fiscally irresponsible way. Despite overwhelming scientific evidence, the Government persists in offering remediation when only a full demolition will do. If we go back to remediation, these houses will need to be revisited. It is not good enough. It is simply scandalous to be treated like a second class citizen in your own country.

Until there is accountability at the highest level, this vicious circle will continue. This is not just a Donegal issue. This is an issue up and down the country. People from across the floor have come to me about it. As we speak right now, there is not a county in Ireland that is not affected and it will grow. I have talked about this every week and nobody listens but they will listen in five or six years' time when they experience the difficulties Donegal have faced. The budget has missed the opportunity to finally do the right thing but it does not surprise me. I urge the Government to act before this crisis worsens for families on the brink and before somebody gets seriously injured or killed.

Donegal bore the brunt of Storm Amy last week, a storm that sadly took a person's life. I want us to remember Tommy Connors today and send deepest sympathies to his families. Today, I will also mention the Creeslough families with whom I am working closely. That tragedy happened three years ago today and they are still waiting for answers.

I ask the Government to act. The defective concrete families in Donegal have had enough as have those in the rest of the country, in Mayo, Clare, Limerick and elsewhere. I apologise if I have excluded anybody.

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