Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Chairman, before we get into the business, I would like to raise an important issue which relates to something the committee dealt with previously. At this very moment, 600 residents in Longboat Quay are threatened with evacuation.

It is something that we on this committee dealt with before. Some 12 months ago the matter came to our attention and it was mentioned at that time that there was a serious fire safety issue. The DDDA undertook to look into that matter and I understand it put in a sum in the region of €1 million towards remedying the situation. Other issues have developed since then that have shown this to be far more serious, with the results that the 600 plus residents in 300 apartments may have to be evacuated if the faults are not rectified. The initial work was carried out by the DDDA, which was the planning authority. The question now is who will take care of the €4 million that is required.

The Dublin Docklands Development Authority, DDDA, is about to become part of Dublin City Council. Quite clearly Dublin City Council is at risk from the charge.

The property belonged to Bernard McNamara who went into receivership. It is incredible that somebody can walk away. It would be similar to what happened in the case of Priory Hall. The person who is responsible for the damage caused is now one of the people who will probably not have to pay to have it rectified. I wonder if NAMA has a role, given that NAMA would have taken over those properties when Bernard McNamara went bust. I wonder whether it would be appropriate to ask NAMA some questions on this at a later stage. In the first instance I propose that we deal with NAMA in respect of it.

Second, the flaws have only appeared in this property which was built in 2006, some nine years ago. What about all the other properties built during the Celtic tiger years in the Docklands and elsewhere?

We will get a report from the clerk in respect of the Docklands in due course. Can the report be extended to include a survey of the various properties that were built during the Celtic tiger years when only cursory compliance was required? It was not until 2014 that strict regulations were put in place that require a quantity survey and an architect.