Niall Blaney (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome all the representatives here today, in particular the group from Donegal because that is the group that we have mostly been dealing with. When I say "we", I must include the Minister, Deputy McConalogue, who has probably had more engagement with the group than any of us put together in recent years.

I thank all the members of the Mica Action Group from Donegal for contributing so much over the years to its ongoing work. The voluntary effort and the hours they have put in on behalf of homeowners in Donegal is very much appreciated. Without that work on the ground, we as politicians would not have got to where we are today. Two years ago, Professor Doherty and I were sitting in the Clanree Hotel with the Taoiseach, but we are in a very different position today. We are better informed. As time moves on, we are learning more about the difficulties. It is important that whoever is in government, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage allows the scheme to evolve. I have no doubt that in a year's time there will be other issues and other scenarios will be realised. It is very important that we have a mechanism to allow the scheme to evolve and change.

Professor Dunlop talked about pyrite being present in the block and sulphur being released. The Donegal group is aware that we have other presentations today from the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland, Engineers Ireland and also from the Department. To what extent has Professor Dunlop's information been shared with Engineers Ireland and what is its view of it to date? Is it in agreement with him or does it oppose it? The presentations that were made today are helpful for us. We will use them as best we can and put what we heard to the representatives of Engineers Ireland, the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland, and the Department because this is an ever-evolving situation. Many issues have been dealt with this far, but we are not there yet. I, for one, want to get a scheme across the line before the summer recess. That is very important. I took a lot of criticism some time ago, but I stand over what I did to ensure the old scheme was not scrapped. A lot of work is happening on the ground in Donegal and possibly in some other counties whereby people could prepare for contract and go through the different stages. It is very important that they are now ready to go because it will save a lot of time. That is why I wanted to save the scheme from day one. I am glad I stood over that. I still stand by it.

Could Professor Dunlop respond on what the situation is in terms of the opinion of Engineers Ireland on the results of his investigations on pyrite?