Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I would like to set out my real concern. We were able to give protection to the general public 35 years ago on the construction of a house through the structural guarantee scheme, the premium bond scheme, or whatever it became later. All these things fell into the dustbin during the course of the Celtic tiger. However, the general public, the consumer, had to pay up. The consumer was left swinging and was punished for it. I dealt with scores of it, as every other Dáil Deputy did. It was distressing. I remember suggesting one time at a meeting with all sectors that the insurance sector, the construction sector and the local authorities with a function in the area might come together as one with a view to addressing the issues. For instance, if substandard materials are used in the construction of a building, there is a liability on someone. It should not be on the customer. There is a liability on somebody. It is a question of who the customers are and how they are going to be protected. I do not hear anybody saying anything other than that we should continue as we are and that we learn from our experiences. Quite honestly, I do not think that is good enough.