By Chris Ashmore
COUNCILLORS in Donegal have passed a motion calling on the Government to establish an independent judicial statutory public inquiry into the defective concrete block crisis.
This follows a motion tabled by Cllr. Frank McBrearty who stated that the truth must be revealed regarding “what has been labelled incorrectly as the Mica Freeze Thaw scandal as being the cause of this disaster.”
Cllr. McBrearty wants to see forensic evidence being provided to reveal the origin of the mica freeze-thaw mindset that dates back to 2013.
Subsequent studies revealed that the primary cause of the defective blocks was what is known as an internal sulphate attack.
Internal sulphate attack (ISA) occurs when pyrrhotite in the concrete oxidises when it comes into contact with oxygen and moisture.
It first rusts causing it to swell and releases sulphur. This creates sulphuric acid which reacts with the concrete to form secondary sulphate minerals that cause the concrete to swell, crack and lose strength.
Cllr McBrearty has also called for the withdrawal of the IS 465 standard. This is the standard that the existing Defective Concrete Blocks scheme is based on.
Cllr. McBrearty said that the inquiry would be “for all the people that have been forced into a grant scheme that is based on a false standard”.
He said that this is the “biggest crisis in Donegal” and that “people are entitled to an independent statutory inquiry”.
The motion at Monday’s meeting of Donegal County Council was seconded by Cllr. Tomás Seán Devine, of the 100% Redress Party, who said: “Homeowners deserve nothing less than the full truth and proper accountability. This has affected thousands of lives.”
He felt that a public inquiry was “long overdue to sort out the problem once and for all.”
Meanwhile, Cllr. McBrearty requested that his motion, in addition to being sent to the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, should also be circulated to all members of the Oireachtas.
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