Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

They were happy to come together, as were the construction companies which had to do the temporary work. The construction companies mobilised 250 workers over a long weekend. They felt there was a duty on their part to come forward and try to address this situation as well.

Deputy Funchion also asked about minor works for primary schools and summer works.

We will be in a position to announce the summer works before Christmas and we are pushing hard to get the minor works announced before Christmas as well. I will commit to that. We need a longer run-in, for which several Opposition colleagues have been calling. We will commit to starting the application process for the 2020 summer works early next year in order that schools can do a bit of forward planning. Members do not need me to tell them that principals have a lot going on. The last thing they need is to be given an award of funding in May or June of that summer, which then has to go out to tender. It just does not make sense.

Deputy Coppinger raised a few issues around building control. She made the point that the cost of wall ties is minuscule. Let us have a conversation about rapid build. A lot these builds were completed in 24 to 26 weeks. Today there is a demand for housing and there is a demand for rapid build in that sector as well. Let us look at the enormity of the challenge. I do not believe that reducing the timescale of a build is a negative if it is done right, if the workmanship is right and if there is proper attention to detail and oversight. It is a question of oversight and how we can fill that gap.

Deputy Coppinger mentioned the Garda. At this stage I have not made contact with the Garda but I reiterate what was already said at committee today. The Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 2014 specify that sanctions are not limited to fines. They include imprisonment. There is culpability and I will certainly continue to be very vigilant and-----