Mr. Pat Montague:

There has to be consequences. There are a number of things we need to look at. First, we need to look at lifting the veil of incorporation so that, for instance, in cases where directors of companies have tried to keep their assets off books, those assets can be reached. You can lift the veil of incorporation and get at those assets. Frankly, we need to look at cases where people who built shoddily should not be able to - and I know this is happening in the UK - tender for public works. In my view, it is totally wrong for people who pay no heed to the building regulations to simply trot around and be able to get contracts.

Likewise, we need to change the Statute of Limitations. At present, it is six years from when the defects become manifest, which is not when you discover them. In most cases, when the defects are discovered, the Statute of Limitations has long passed.