Mullooly confronts Commission in Strasbourg on 'shocking' defective blocks scandal

Midlands North-West MEP Ciaran Mullooly has demanded urgent action from the European Commission on the defective concrete blocks scandal, warning in Strasbourg that lives are at risk if the crisis continues to be ignored.

MEP Mullooly had visited affected families in Donegal with Deputy Charles Ward TD and Councillors Ali Farren, Joy Beard, Tomas Sean Devine and Denis McGee of the 100% Redress Party, where he described the situation on the ground as “shocking.” More than 6,000 homes across Ireland are affected, with Donegal worst hit.

READ NEXT: Repeated Housing Agency absence from Defective Concrete Blocks Committee criticised

Addressing Commissioner Stéphane Séjourné directly, MEP Mullooly told the European Parliament: “The scandal of defective concrete blocks in Ireland is not just about bricks and mortar and faulty EU regulation by the Irish Government. It’s a clear and present danger to thousands of men, women and children living in County Donegal and in more than 20 other counties around Ireland.

“I witnessed a catastrophe unfolding myself before my own eyes when I visited these homes. Couples sleeping on couches in the only room of the house not destroyed by dampness and mould. Houses that are falling apart with cracked walls, unstable roofs and families living in fear.”

“Denise Grant and her family are trying to rebuild their family home in the depth of this trauma, the unrelenting crisis for them, and with continuous and never-ending stress they told me about it.”

Mullooly reminded the Parliament that the Commission has already initiated infringement proceedings against Ireland:

“The Commission has launched an infringement procedure against Ireland and we patiently await its outcome. Commissioner Séjourné, get this sorted out. Get on with this. Our lives will be lost and I will hold you and the Irish Government responsible if that happens.”