Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

I support what Deputy Ó Broin is proposing. This would be very effective and would have knock-on effects. This morning in the Dáil, we raised a different issue on exploitative practices that affect some renters with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage. The Minister indicated that he would bring in measures whereby landlords engaged in such abhorrent behaviour could be struck off the register for landlords and, therefore, would not be able to practise as a landlord anymore. That is one of the measures under consideration. This is very different but it is also a serious issue. Building defects have caused absolute devastation in people's lives, as well as the significant cost borne publicly as a result. It is entirely appropriate that there should be a fallout from that. We are not talking about minor mistakes or where there are learnings to be made. That is quite different. However, for very serious building defects that have devastating consequences, of course, a fallout from that should be that the individual responsible should not be able to build again and repeat those mistakes.

It is important for the homeowners to get a sense of justice, while they have gone through the stress of seeing their homes fall apart or have been worried about their kids falling asleep in a building that is not fire-safety compliant, there is the possibility of individuals or contractors not being able to build again because they cannot get on this register, if they are found to have failed to comply with building control regulations. As we all know, the threshold to achieve that can be quite high and difficult for residents and homeowners to get to.

It is worthy of very serious consideration. I urge the Minister of State to include this as it would make things considerably different. The case for it is overwhelming. I can see no reason not to do it.