Mr. Aidan O'Connell:

Mr. Forde is 100% correct. I have already said the stronger matrix of the foundation is why I believe we have seen little or no damage in all the properties we have dealt with under the IS 398 scheme. What I will also say is as engineers - and please do not take this the wrong way - we are going to be working in a live laboratory, as in, I anticipate we are going to be dealing with the most severely damaged properties in Donegal, Mayo and any other county subsequently approved and included in the scheme. Being the most severely damaged properties, I expect when we examine the foundations we will get the best knowledge at that stage of what is the potential for damage to foundations for the most severely damaged dwellings that have suspect or damaged concrete blocks. At the moment, our knowledge is based on experience and what we have seen. Certainly, we will take every single piece of advice or bit of evidence from any consultant or any external body. However, realistically, the best knowledge we are probably going to find is out in the field when we are repairing properties.