Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

That is no problem. There will be specific questions I will not be in a position to answer but I will be happy to obtain the information sought. If there are elements I miss out on, Mr. Hubert Loftus will be more familiar with them and their history.

Let me deal first with the issues raised by Deputy Thomas Byrne. I agree with him that a number of players are involved; it is not just the contractor. It is very much set out in the building control legislation that there is a weight of responsibility on those concerned, be it designers, architects or contractors. We will pursue every possible channel to ensure that whatever costs exist at a remedial level can be met. We will also pursue any disruption costs as best we can.

A question was asked about the 2017 clerk of works. Since 2017, every single school has a clerk of works. Even though there is a clerk of works on site, he or she does not have ultimate responsibility for certifying work. The clerk of works is not looking down the cavity wall to ensure the wall ties are in. This goes back to vigilance, supervision and the question of where responsibility lies.