Ms Lisa Hone:

This is one of the most disturbing aspects for homeowners. Either the Government wants a science-led scheme or it does not. The science investigating the true nature of what is happening here has been taking place for more than two years. We had testimony prior to the legislation from international experts indicating and providing evidence that it involves internal sulphate attack. Since that time, the evidence being researched by a host of independent international concrete science specialists has got stronger and stronger.

With this evidence it is incredible that we find ourselves in a position where, despite all of this, and despite the CVs of the scientists investigating this using the most rigorous and scientific methodologies, we still have remediation solutions that are based on a standard that is now accepted as flawed. It is like the science has never happened. The NSAI is effectively sitting on its hands and not acknowledging it. I know that within the NSAI there is documentation and there are research papers and statements on which it should be acting. This is why we have said it is reckless. It is ignoring a burgeoning body of evidence of rigorous scientific research in favour of defaulting to a flawed desktop study that did not employ any scientific method. It is based on opinion and not science. That is what decisions are being made on today.