Eileen Flynn (Independent) | Oireachtas source

The man said, "We sat in the Gallery filled with anger and tears watching every affected homeowner get sentenced and fined tens of thousands of euro for the rest of their lives but no-one could tell us what we done wrong". I want to say the following to Michael and all of the affected homeowners. You have done nothing wrong. You have done all of the right things.

Please bear in mind that the Mica Acting Group was established in 2013 yet we are talking about this issue as if it came to our attention two or three years ago. The Government has let down the people, and the affected homeowners need more than words right now. I offer my solidarity to the homeowners. Later this week, I will table very strong amendments in order to fix this bad legislation. Last week in the Dáil, the Opposition tabled more than 150 amendments and not one of them was supported. All of the amendments were designed to make sure this legislation listened to and addressed the concerns of homeowners. A lot of these amendments were bought forward on behalf of campaigners.

A fortnight ago, young innovators were in the audiovisual room and explained to us the impact that mica has had on their wellbeing. I have not heard one person speak about the future of young people in, say, counties Limerick, Donegal and Clare. People are worried and stressed by this issue, including young people who are studying for their leaving and junior certificate examinations.

I will vote against this Bill as it stands. I encourage the Minister to listen to the people. This legislation is our last chance. Obviously Senators have less power than Deputies but on Wednesday we can come together as a House and prove that we are here for the people affected, particularly as this House is meant to be the people's House. If there are no changes made to this Bill then Senators should vote against it and the Minister also has the power to vote against it.

I hope that the Minister can give me a straightforward answer to my question. Did he speak to the campaigners? Today, we are discussing a Bill and a lot of the time I would state the ethos "nothing about us without us", which is a phrase that we have heard so many times. I agree with my colleague, Senator Sherlock, that we only have a certain way to go and this Bill can be made ideal if our amendments are accepted. I ask the Minister, if he can, to name the campaigners that he worked with to come up with the Bill and ask for that because the people do not feel that they have been listened to.

I live in County Donegal where I have heard mothers say that their children's clothes are full of mould, their houses are cold, and that they are afraid that their homes will crumble on top them and their family. These are real-life scenarios for people. Last week, a presenter on my local radio station said at the end of the programme that having spoken to mica campaigners he felt that he had to announce a list of helplines that assist people with their mental health.

I feel that County Donegal has been forgotten and is the forgotten county. I also know that there are homes in many different counties that have been affected by mica. I firmly believe that people should not have to live in fear that their house will collapse on top of them. I, again, ask the Minister to name the group that he has worked with.

Last week, Deputy Pringle tabled very good amendments in the Dáil and I hope to bring some of his amendments forward here. What is money when people's lives are at risk and people are forced to live in accommodation of a very poor standard? I urge the Minister to think before Wednesday and include our amendments while viewing them as a collective coming together. These amendments are not our amendments. They are not my amendments. They are the amendments of the campaigners. Again, nothing about us without us and campaigners need to be included.

I wish to say "fair play" to Deputy Joe McHugh. It is not easy to go against one's party but one must do what is right, live by one's values and principles and listen to one's gut feeling. I give credit to Deputy Joe McHugh for doing so. I hope that Senators will decide to make a difference and vote against the Bill, as it stands.