Action group set for crucial pyrite meeting
Dublin People 01 Oct 2011MEMBERS of a
Northside-based action group are counting down the days to a crucial Dáil
meeting to discuss the future of their pyrite-affected homes.
Four members of
Pyrite Action will make a presentation to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on the
Environment on Tuesday, October 11.
Pyrite Action is
also planning to have a small group outside the Dáil on the day in a show of
solidarity and to bring attention to the crisis.
Chairperson of
Pyrite Action, Peter Lewis, from Santry, will give a 10-minute presentation at
the meeting.
This will be
followed by a 45 minutes questions and answers session, with the group planning
to present a slideshow of photos of damaged homes in the background.
Sandra Lewis, a
member of Pyrite Action, told Northside People that the meeting is
“really very
important
?.
“It’s the first
time we’ve been given a platform at Government level to tell our stories,
? she
said.
“We have been collecting
submissions from residents in affected developments and will be looking to get
across the human impact of the crisis at the meeting.
“The stories we
have been gathering from residents are tragic with some people suffering from
depression and anxiety as a consequence of what has happened to their homes. A
lot of people are suffering from financial and emotional strain.
?
Ms Lewis said the
group attending the meeting will have a huge responsibility as they are
representing thousands of residents.
“It’s a very big
undertaking,
? she stated.
“Myself and Peter
have been working on this five hours a night, and we’ve some very good people
helping us.
“The group was set
up in May but we’ve been particularly busy in the last month.
“A lot of work has
gone into it (Dáil submission) and hopefully, something positive will happen.
The only agenda is that we get our homes repaired.
?
Ms Lewis said the
group is concerned that what happens at the meeting doesn’t become just another
report that ends up on a shelf in six months’ time.
“We have to keep
the pressure on,
? she added.
“The door is slightly open now but we need to keep
pushing.
?
The affected
homeowners received a major boost last month when the Government announced that
it was setting up a working group to deal with the crisis.
A spokesman for
the Department of the Environment said:
“The working group will call in the
relevant stakeholders (homeowners, construction sector and HomeBond etc) in
order to progress the issue.
“At the same time,
it has to be clearly understood that while the State has no legal liability in
the matter, it is willing to act as a facilitator of a resolution of the issue.
“The minister will
make an announcement in relation to the other members of the working group
shortly.
?
Meanwhile, Pyrite
Action held another protest outside the offices of HomeBond last Wednesday
(September 28), which was attended by approximately 60 people.
The homeowners
vented their anger at HomeBond’s recent announcement that it would not be
accepting liability for claims.
Pyrite, a
naturally occurring mineral, can potentially cause significant structural
damage to homes if used in the infill below floor slabs.
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