Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Mr. Ó Coigligh outlined some of the legislation. SI 288 of 1949 is Standard Specification (Solid Concrete Building Blocks Made with Natural Aggregate) Order. I will not read it all but the relevant part states:

The sand, i.e. fine aggregate passing a 3/16 in. test sieve, shall not contain more than 10 per cent. passing No. 100 test sieve.

(a) Harmful Impurities.

The aggregate shall not contain harmful material in sufficient quantity to affect adversely the strength or durability of the concrete. Mica, shale or similar laminated materials, or soft particles, shall not be present in such a form or in such quantity as to affect adversely the concrete.

When tested in accordance with the method given in Appendix A the quantity of harmful impurities passing a No. 200 test sieve shall not exceed (i) in the case of fine aggregate 3 per cent. for natural sand and 5 per cent. for crushed stone, and (ii) in the case of coarse aggregate 1 per cent.

We know "coarse" means there is a lot of stone in it.

That is from 1949. It was brought to my attention this week. We have legislation since 1949 and here we are in the year of our Lord 2023 and it seems as though no one was watching this. Who tests the sand? We have been lucky where I live, except for north Offaly. Edenderry was affected by pyrite but so far - touch wood - we have good companies providing good quality products in that part of the midlands. Where are the tests done and who is doing them? We could paper Leinster House with regulations, statutory instruments and legislation but who actually does this? Does someone go to the concrete plant unannounced every now and then and take a sample?