Fianna Fáil TD Marc MacSharry says he'd resign from the party if homeowners impacted by the mica scandal don't get 100% redress.
Those whose homes have mica damage want the State to cover all costs for repairing and in some cases completely rebuilding the properties.
The Irish Examiner reported earlier this week that FF TD Dara Calleary made clear to party bosses that he's prepared to leave the party if full redress isn't offered.
On Lunchtime Live, Deputy MacSharry - who represents Sligo-Leitrim, a constituency that includes parts of Donegal - shared a similar view.
He said: “We need 100% redress, as was made available to the people in Dublin and Leinster who had this problem some years ago.
“It’s a chronic problem in Mayo and north Donegal… also south Donegal, west Sligo and Co Clare. And that’s just what we know about so far.
“I know Dara Calleary has said if it comes to standing with the people or party on this issue, he knows what he’ll be doing. I’ll be standing with him.”
Asked if he would resign over the issue if it's not resolved, the Fianna Fáil TD said: “If they’re going to let people’s houses fall down around them, having looked after people in Dublin and Leinster... then that’s a big, big problem, yeah.
“You’ve got to look after people - that’s it.
“I’m a proud member of Fianna Fáil, but I’m employed by and work for the people, and the people come first.”
The Government has committed to improving the current scheme to fix or rebuild mica homes.
Deputy MacSharry said the Government response to the issue was in “dodgy territory” until last week, but suggested that has changed now.
He said the first priority is a support scheme for impacted homeowners, but added the State will look at pursuing "unscrupulous professionals" who supplied the defective materials if they can.
Golfgate and Leakgate
Deputy MacSharry also spoke about Golfgate - the scandal that saw Dara Calleary resign his Cabinet seat, just weeks after being appointed.
He compared the scandal to the revelations around Leo Varadkar leaking a confidential GP contract to a friend while he was Taoiseach.
He said: “The same due process that is afforded to others like Tánaiste in terms of Leakgate was not afforded to Dara Calleary or Barry Cowen or Phil Hogan or Jerry Buttimer or others.
“Depending on the protagonist involved in Irish life, different rules and standards apply.
"That’s something I’m committed to trying to change - not having much luck so far, but that’s how I see it.”
The Sligo–Leitrim also spoke about his public criticism of the Government's policies around COVID-19 - including his remarks that he doesn't have confidence in the Taoiseach's handling of the crisis.
He said: “My criticism [has] been issue-based - it’s not about personalities or anything like that.
“It’s never personal, and those who take it personally lack the professionalism to be in political life.
“It’s not about personality - Micheál Martin is a gentleman, the Taoiseach and the leader of our party. I have differences of opinion on how certain things are approached."
He added that it is a "worry for me politically" to see his party in third place in opinion polls.
However, he said the current priority is to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, the housing crisis and other issues.
