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Mica protesters vowed that they will continue to demonstrate until they get 100% compensation
On Friday, tens of thousands of people from Donegal, Mayo, Sligo and Limerick poured into the capital, demanding that the government bear all the costs of houses that collapsed due to defective blocks.
In the face of massive destruction in Dublin city centre, road blockades and public transportation unable to move, activist Paddy Diver vowed that if their demands are not met, the protests will continue.
He told the Palestinian Authority News Agency during the protest: "We are back against the wall and we have nothing to lose. We have to come here to show (Minister of Housing) Darragh O'Brien that we are no longer talking nonsense.
"We have 30,000 people down today. If we have to come down again, we can do the same damage to 500 people. We will not leave. We will sit quietly on the M50 and we can close the port."
The diver revealed that the candidates are considering running for candidates in the next election.
"We are tired of false promises. This situation has been going on for 10 years," he said.
"Don't let anyone forget that when they say that repairing these houses will cost 2 billion euros, it will be impossible if the government has completed their work and listened to our opinions.
"They knew they were the defective block. They made a plan for the defective block, but they never prevented the problem from happening."
At noon on Friday, dozens of buses carried people from Donegal, Mayo, Limerick, Clare, Letrim and Sligo to the capital, marching from the Garden of Remembrance to the customs house where the Ministry of Housing is located.
When Donegal TD and Agriculture Secretary Charlie McConnell tried to address the crowd, he booed. Organizers begged those gathered to "respect" the minister.
When finally allowed to speak, McConaughey supported the call for 100% remedy.
Donegal Minister Charlie McConalogue was booed over #MicaProtest because the organizers begged the crowd to let him speak. pic.twitter.com/kEIrRfZmXp- James Ward (@newswardie) October 8, 2021
Donegal Minister Charlie McConalogue was booed over #MicaProtest because the organizers begged the crowd to let him speak. pic.twitter.com/kEIrRfZmXp
"I admit, we also admit that we have a great responsibility to you. The huge damage this problem has caused to families has existed for many years," he said.
"The huge daily stress and nighttime stress. This problem means that people can live a normal life, but they cannot do so.
"I want to definitely support 100% remedy. As a cabinet minister, I am working on this."
But in a speech in Belfast, Tauisach Michael Martin said that the details of the remedial plan will not be ready in time for Tuesday’s budget.
The power of the people-the call for 100% remedy is growing, the message is clear, the government must listen #micaredress #MicaProtest pic.twitter.com/JjqoSFWCdG- Mary Lou McDonald (@MaryLouMcDonald) October 8, 2021
The power of the people-the call for 100% remedy is increasing, the message is clear, the government must listen #micaredress #MicaProtest pic.twitter.com/JjqoSFWCdG
The leader of the Sinn Fein Party, Mary Lou McDonald, said in a speech to the crowd:
"We are here to tell you very simply that we support 100% remedies for every family, every family affected by mica and pyrite. End of story, full stop."
She added: "The minister and the government can run, but they cannot avoid it, they cannot avoid this wave of enthusiasm and determination, and of course they cannot avoid Paddy Diver.
"I want to thank you for this campaign, and I want to thank you for proving that you can make a difference when you make a stand."
Activist Irene Dougherty said: "We are tired of being treated as second-class citizens and forgotten counties.
"We should not be blamed. We have done nothing wrong. The government presided over a system of self-certification, loose regulation and non-compliance with existing Irish and EU legislation, which led to this crisis."
Activists hope to develop a plan to help families whose houses are destroyed or damaged by mica, a mineral that can absorb water due to cracking and shattering of building blocks.
The government has been criticized for providing only 90% of the houses under the current plan, which makes the owners have to bear a lot of maintenance or reconstruction costs.
Activists blamed the lack of building codes and material supervision.
It is estimated that 5,000 houses in Co Donegal were affected by defective bricks, and it is understood that thousands of houses are located in the counties of Sligo, Clare and Limerick.
A report found that the cost of the full compensation plan could reach 3.2 billion euros.
A spokesperson for the Minister of Housing said that no decision has been made to strengthen the remedial plan.
"Secretary O'Brien is keenly aware of the urgency of this matter and will continue to discuss proposals to strengthen the plan with department officials and their cabinet colleagues in the next few weeks, with a view to submitting a memorandum to the cabinet in the next two weeks. " they said.
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"The enhancement of the plan needs to be approved by the government, and absolutely no decision has been made regarding the enhancement of the defective concrete block plan."
Earlier this week, O'Brien stated that today’s protest should be the last time homeowners affected by mica think they need to demonstrate.
He told Dail on Wednesday that he would submit a proposal for the revised compensation plan to the government in the coming weeks.
A draft report prepared by a working group set up by O'Brien did not recommend 100% correction as requested by the activists.
The minister said that he understands the "tragedy" facing the affected homeowners, and he is working with Attorney General Paul Gallagher to see to what extent the government can legally pursue those who built houses with defective materials. people.
"I am considering all options," O'Brien said. "Those responsible should be held accountable."
(Left to right) Liam Devine, Lidia Fagan, Ryan Fagan, Jennifer Fagan and Sarah Fagan gathered at the Memorial Garden in Dublin today. Photo credit: Leah Farrell
When activists headed to the center of the capital this morning, they staged a slow protest on the M50 highway.
"We haven't got the answer yet, we need to end this torture, we need to end it now. We should not come all the way from Donegal to Dublin for the sake of our family and our mental health," Diver told before the protest TheJournal.
Gardaí is there to monitor slow-moving traffic and encourages motorists to use other routes whenever possible.
After the highway demonstration, Diver claimed responsibility for the traffic delays.
He wrote on Twitter: "If I let you be late for work this morning, please tell your employer Paddy Diver is the culprit. My DM is always open."
If I make you late for work this morning, please tell your employer Paddy Diver is the culprit, and my DM is always open 😎#MicaRedress #MicaProtest—Paddy Diver (@PaddyDiver4) October 8, 2021
If I let you be late for work this morning, please tell your employer Paddy Diver is the culprit, and my DM is always open 😎#MicaRedress #MicaProtest
-Report from Céimin Burke
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