Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I was the first to do something about this when Deputy Clare Daly did not even make any representations to the previous Government. I inherited this particular problem and I am dealing with it. Deputy Clare Daly can make all the political comments she wishes but I am trying to solve the problems for the home owners. She claims no progress has been made; substantial progress has been made which I have just outlined. She will have to take my word on it. I know she does not have much time for my word but she needs to take it on this occasion.

The Government does not have the money to add to the funds but we are seeking to get them elsewhere through the financial sector and the stakeholders directly responsible for this problem. We are facilitating the rectification of this problem through an oversight process we will put in place for the pyrite resolution board. The number of houses affected is not 60,000, a figure that the Deputy has bandied around in the past.

I cannot confiscate the moneys from HomeBond, which the Deputy knows as well. I am involved in getting them to accept their responsibilities in this matter and to work with the Construction Industry Federation and the Irish Concrete Federation to present proposals that will help to resolve the problems for the home owners. This is another part of the equation in trying to find a final resolution for the home owners affected. The property tax is a matter for the Minister for Finance in the budget, but I am sympathetic to the point expressed by the Deputy.