WATCH: Mica and Pyrite homeowners meet EU Petitions Committee

Mica and Pyrite homeowners have made a presentation on the defective blocks issue to the EU Petitions Committee (PETI), in Brussels.

Joe Morgan and Ann Owens, members of the mica redress team from Donegal, were supported to do so by the EU Left Group and Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan MEP.

The issue was also discussed with MEP’s and an EU Commissioner, by other redress team members, including: Eileen Doherty, Eamonn Jackson, Mary O’ Regan, who are Donegal mica family representatives, and Loren Devers, a Mayo pyrite family representative). 

Joe Morgan, an affected homeowner and campaigner, who oversaw the submission of multiple petitions from affected mica families to PETI earlier this year, said: “We were delighted to be afforded the opportunity to shine a light on the mica scandal at a European level and to demonstrate the failure by the Irish Government in adhering to existing Irish and EU regulations. 

"We highlighted the lack of effective governance and oversight of concrete products in an EU member state by the Irish Government, which resulted in the defective blocks crisis.     

“We were delighted that the EU Committee members, after hearing our submission voted unanimously to keep the petition ‘open’.  This was the best outcome we could have hoped for.  PETI will now decide which other mechanisms or committees at EU level will be asked to examine this issue to help support affected families in Ireland. 

"Further, there was agreement that PETI would write to the Irish Government and seek clarify on the issue and how it is being addressed," said Mr Morgan.

Speaking at the PETI committee, Ann Owens said: "It was incredible that a grassroots lobby group from Donegal has succeeded in bringing a campaign from a kitchen table to the EU parliament. 

"It is unfortunate however, that this issue has not been effectively addressed at a national level and that it has become necessary to involve the EU."

Ann went on to say: "Following the PETI Committee presentation, we met with Left Group MEP members (including Luke ‘Ming’ Flanaghan (Independent), Mick Wallace (Independents 4 Change), Manon Aubrey (La France Insoumise), Martin Schirdewan (Die Linke/The Left), Claire Daly (Independents 4 Change), Chris McManus (SF), other Irish MEP’s; Sean Kelly (FG), Colm Markey (FG), Barry Andrews (FF), Frances Fitzgerald (FG), Maria Walsh (FG), Billy Kelleher (FF), Spanish MEP Pernando Barrena Arza (Sortu) and EU Commissioner Mairead McGuinness (FG), to further highlight the mica and pyrite issue, and to ask for their continued support in applying pressure on the Irish Government to effectively and expediently address this issue on behalf of all affected families.

“Key areas of discussion centred around the deficiencies in the newly released defective blocks scheme (in particular the inadequate square foot rate/sliding scale) and the potential for an International forum to be established to better understand the impact of mica, pyrite, pyrrhotite etc. on construction products.     

“Importantly, a key item under discussion was the possibility of the EU sending a delegation on a ‘fact finding’ mission to Ireland to better understand the defective blocks issue, how it happened and how it is being addressed at both a local and a national level. The MEPs have agreed to report back on this over the next few months," concluded Ann Owens.