John Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I compliment the Construction Defects Alliance for the work it has done in this area and the awareness it has raised. I thank everybody for their contributions. The lived experience which people have spoken about has been enlightening to me as a new member of this committee. It is critical that they are part of the working group going forward.

There is a commitment in the programme for Government to address this matter. My colleague, Senator Seery Kearney, referred to positively discriminating for those need who need support, such as those on the MS Teams call with us this morning. We have tax write-offs for PAYE workers with the living city over ten years and the cycle-to-work schemes on a limited basis. Perhaps PAYE workers could avail of tax write-offs for latent defects and the cost of their remediation.

That may be one that our guests can take up with the working group. The tax write-off available over ten years through the living city initiative is considerable.

Ms Ní Fhloinn mentioned legal changes being needed now but later noted that while the legislation was strong in this area, there have not been prosecutions. Will she give a little more information on what specific legal changes may be required? I am conscious that while we are talking predominantly about cases arising from the Celtic tiger period, the issue is not related solely to them. Cases could be developing on other construction sites as we speak, where actions may be being taken that are not in compliance with the guidance and regulations. There are good and bad builders and we have to acknowledge that. Will Ms Ní Fhloinn outline what legal changes are needed to ensure that what has happened previously will not happen again in the coming years as we ramp up our construction sector?