Dr. Martina Cleary:

The Deputy will see from pictures in the report that the block is coming out of the wall as black mush or dust and the compressive strength is gone. However, in some instances, because the homeowner is maintaining the render, one does not always see it. The are four categories in the groupings in IS 465 as they exist up to this point in terms of the damage threshold assessment. It is perfectly functioning. It is ratified by IS 465 and Engineers Ireland stand behind it. Category 2 of that is only web-like cracking on one side. Many people will not meet this new 1.5 mm threshold. What one is doing is leaving people trapped in these groups that might look fine visually, but are structurally unsound and very dangerous.

A second thing which is manifesting in all houses, no matter which stage they are at and about which we are very worried, is black mould. Black mould ingress is coming in to the inner leaf. I have brought an expert with us, Dr. Michael Carmody, to whom I will defer, if I am allowed.