“If There is No Accountability on Defective Apartments and Mica Houses, This Scandal Will Happen Again”

“If There is No Accountability on Defective Apartments and Mica Houses, This Scandal Will Happen Again” - Tóibín

Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín TD has called for greater accountability for defective Celtic Tiger era apartments

Speaking today, Tóibín said “Across our country, young couples and families are suffering because of the substandard materials used in the construction of homes and apartments under past governments. There are families who are being given bills of tens of thousands of euro to fix problems that should’ve never occurred”

Tóibín continued “A report, commissioned by Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien HAS found that structural issues, water ingress and fire safety issues are present in 4 out of 5 apartments built between 1991 and 2013. This is shocking. It’s a complete dereliction of the duty of the political class at the time”.

"Politicians and officials who allowed these apartments to be built have put people into horrendous situations. Their entire world, everything they’ve invested in and built is crumbling around them. In many cases, entire families are being pushed into emergency rental accommodation, while still having to pay the mortgage on their home or apartment. This is an absolute disgrace”

“From the Mica scandal to other defective buildings from the Celtic Tiger era, the fault of this lies with the light touch enforcement and regulation that characterised successive Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael governments. Families are now paying for this both financially and with their heath. That cost will soon be borne by the state to the tune of billions of euro and the it appears that nothing will be done to hold the political establishment to account. Those who allowed defective apartments and the Mica houses to be built need to be held to account. If they aren’t, this this scandal will happen again” Tóibín concluded

CRÍOCH

The Irish political system is radically broken

In Ireland the vast majority of elected representatives put a finger in the air to check which way the political wind is blowing. They have one eye on their leaders – seeking brownie points – and another eye keeping their seat safe. If elected reps shut up and do as they’re told, they are promoted; if they stand up for what they believe in, they are demoted. No wonder we have the political class we have. No wonder one point one billion euro is being buried in a hole under the National Children’s Hospital and that Stormont is in stalemate.

Throughout Ireland, many people are now afraid to say what they feel, many are afraid to respectfully engage on a range of different topics. Many feel there is a new censorship and a new political correctness in Ireland, that opposition to the establishment is being deleted.

Respectful opposition is not the enemy. Respectful opposition is a critical element of a functional democracy. Aontú will have the backbone to stand up, without fear, for you.