Councillor Gerry McMonagle elected chair of Defective Concrete Committee
Councillor Gerry McMonagle is the new chairperson of Donegal County Council's Defective Concrete Block Committee.
The Sinn Fein Cllr defeated outgoing chairperson, Cllr Tomás Seán Devine of the 100% Redress Party, following a vote.
Cllr Devine was proposed for another term as chairperson by Cllr Ali Farren, while Cllr McMonagle was proposed by Cllr Brian Carr.
Cllr Martin McDermott told the meeting of the committee that he understood the role of the chair was to rotate between parties every year.
Cllr Devine said that Cllr McDermott had been chair for five years and that the 100% Redress Party will not be seeking the chairperson role in other committees.
Following a discussion on terms of reference, a vote was called and Cllr McMonagle was elected on nine votes to five.
Upon taking the chair, Cllr McMonagle thanked Cllr Devine for the 'work he has put in' over the last 12 months.
He said the committee is one that deals with 'complex issues' and is a 'united one,' that 'is working as hard as we can to deliver an effective scheme'.
Cllr McMonagle said he will be working closely with each member of the committee on every issue that arises and urged them to contact him with ideas and suggestions on how better to improve the scheme.
He said he will be seeking regular meetings and updates from the Department of Housing, as well as answers, in particular, on the review of IS465 and a social housing remediation scheme.
"I'd like to think that, in the next 12 months, we'll make a good go at it and will get answers and make real progress for the people who are greatly suffering due to this crisis."
Cllr McMonagle pointed out how everyone in the committee has been impacted, either directly or through family members, by defective concrete.
Cllr McMonagle's fellow members wished him well and also thanked Cllr Devine for his work over the past year.
Councillor Joy Beard, of the 100% Redress Party, was elected as vice chairperson of the committee.
Cllr Beard said the committee was not 'dealing with any ordinary housing crisis - this is the biggest humanitarian crisis we have faced'.
"Behind every item on the agenda and reports is a family whose lives have been turned upside down.
"Some have lost their homes, some have lost their health because of this crisis and many have lost years trying to navigate this scheme."
This article is funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme