The Mica Action Group Committee has issued a final statement confirming its dissolution, and stressing this is not the end of the campaign.
The statement says the campaign has evolved over the past year with the election of four 100% Redress Councillors and Deputy Charles Ward.
Outgoing MAG Chair Lisa Hone says this marks a powerful new chapter in the cause, and they are confident the movement is in capable hands.
In its final statement last evening, the Mica Action Group says since its formation in 2014 by a group of Donegal homeowners, MAG has been at the forefront of the defective concrete crisis, giving a voice to the thousands of impacted homeowners, leading the charge for change, and pushing Government to provide a way forward for those affected.
Membership of over 2,400 to date evidenced that the issue was not simply a handful of affected homes, but a hugely serious issue that continues to impact thousands.
Chairperson Lisa Hone says “This is not an ending – it’s a passing of the baton”.
She says change is still needed for a real 100% redress scheme, a science led technical standard, and robust regulatory oversight from all parties in the production of concrete.
The statement concludes for those homeowners who may want to volunteer, there are still opportunities to campaign with the Banking & Insurance Group, the Downgraded Homeowners Group and the 100% Redress Party.
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Statement in full –
MAG Concludes Operations but Leaves a Legacy of Advocacy, Awareness and Political Action.
After more than a decade of tireless campaigning and advocacy on the defective
concrete issue, MAG (Mica Action Group) has formally decided to wind up its operations.
The current committee, who have all campaigned for years are stepping down. With
insufficient volunteers to form a new committee a vote took place at a general meeting
on 11th August 2025, where MAG members present voted to dissolve the group.
Since its formation in 2014 by a group of Donegal homeowners, MAG has been at the
forefront of the defective concrete crisis, giving a voice to the thousands of impacted
homeowners, leading the charge for change and pushing Government to provide a way
forward for those affected. The group shone a national and international spotlight on the
crisis, forcing it onto the political agenda and securing significant, if incomplete redress
measures.
MAG’s diligent gathering of information, creation of a grassroots movement and
membership of over 2400 to date, evidenced that the issue was not simply a handful of
affected homes, but a hugely serious issue that impacts thousands.
Sustained lobbying, public meetings, representation at local council, at Oireachtas and
European levels in addition to a relentless media/social media campaign resulted in the
original and then ‘enhanced’ defective concrete blocks schemes. More recently an
increase in the scheme grants was agreed and consideration for “side-by-side” building
for homeowners in particular circumstances.
In light of the irrefutable scientific evidence that Internal Sulphate Attack is the cause of
the degradation of concrete, MAG constantly challenged the scheme protocol,
eventually resulting in the publication of a revised NSAI IS465 as part of the on-going
review.
“This is not an ending – it’s a passing of the baton” said Lisa Hone MAG Chairperson. “The
campaign has sustained itself for more than a decade through constant adaption and
innovation. Change is still needed for a real 100% redress scheme, a science led
technical standard, and robust regulatory oversight from all parties in the production of
concrete. The campaign has evolved again in the last year with the election of the 100%
Redress Councillors and TD and marks a powerful new chapter in the cause. We are
confident that the movement is in capable hands.
For homeowners who may want to volunteer, there are still opportunities to campaign
with the Banking & Insurance Group, the Downgraded Homeowners Group and 100%
Redress Party.
We would like to extend heartfelt thanks to all the homeowners, to members of MAG and
MAG Committees past and present, and to everyone who has supported MAG over more
than a decade of challenges. We wish all affected homeowners the very best in your
journey. It has been a privilege to represent you.”
The MAG Committee.
Lisa Hone, Chairperson
Tricia Sullivan, Deputy Chairperson
Mary McLaughlin, Treasurer
Kelly McGonagle, Media
Angela Ward, PRO
Roise Ni Laifeartaigh, Irish Language PRO
Michelle Diver, Secretary
Gerry Hone, Committee Member
