QUARRIES who supplied the defective concrete products that have devastated homes across the county came in for severe criticism, when members of the Clare Pyrite Action Group (CPAG) met on a thundery Friday night last (June 16).
After outlining that it would be another five weeks before homeowners here could apply for the new grant scheme, Deputy Cathal Crowe gave an assurance over the government’s commitment. He accepted people’s reservations about the terms of the grant, but said that further amendments to the underpinning legislation, which was debated last summer, could have jeopardised the funding. “There was a state of economic flux and I think it was right to ring fence the money, and drive on to some degree for better or worse,” he said. “I accept you’re not all happy.”
Responding, Séamus Hanley of Drumline, whose home was visited by Minister Darragh O’Brien in 2021, said the solution to funding concerns was to pursue those responsible for the defective material. “There’s an answer to all of this,” Mr Hanley said. “That’s to chase the people who caused the problem. They’ve plenty of money and make billions in profits. You know who I‘m talking about. Chase them. Get after the people who messed up and who weren’t policed.”
Joe O’Donnell of Newmarket asked for an update on a government pledge that the Attorney General would initiate a legal process. “Where’s that gone?” he asked. “Is there any update?.”
Deputy Crowe replied by saying: “100%, they will be gone after“. “They will be going after them,” he affirmed, “but you’ve heard this several times that if we were to tie in litigation with redress, you could be in the Courts for years and years.”
The Meelick-based TD said there would be “a massive litigation process” taken against block manufacturers and suppliers. “We know who they are,” he said. “We’ve all named them in the Dáil using [parliamentary] privilege. Some of you have had the courage to name them. They will be gone after. At the end of the day, the taxpayer, which includes ye, should not be exposed to any great liability. The costs should be borne by those who got us into this mess.”
Mr O’Donnell also pointed out that it was now several years since pyrite was identified in underfloors in Dublin and Meath. “They got 100% [redress],” he said. “How much money was recovered from the manufacturers?”
“I don’t believe there was any,” Deputy Crowe replied. Heated questions then came from a number of homeowners about the relationship between politicians and big business. “There’s the strictest of rules for politicians,” the Fianna Fáil TD insisted. “We adhere by them. I got a donation of €1,000 last year and I was told you’re only allowed receive €200, so I reimbursed it all. There was a time when sheisters went around with brown bags, that day is long gone. I absolutely have the utmost respect for the profession I’m in. I have respect for others of other political persuasions. It’s not an easy job. We’re paid well. We roll with the punches, but one thing I won’t accept is accusations of political corruption.”
After an assurance from several CPAG members that nobody was accusing him of corruption, Deputy Crowe insisted the quarries would be pursued. “They will be taken on,” he said. “It might be the next government. Sinn Féin might be taking them on.”
Another CPAG member contrasted the level of comeback when buying a home, compared to that when buying other goods. “If you buy a new car and there’s something wrong with it, you’ll be able to bring it back and it’s the same for whatever else you buy,” he said. “If you get a knee or a hip fitted, you have a guarantee. Yet this crowd can go and destroy the lives of thousands of people.”