Caít Keane (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I welcome the inclusion of south Dublin in the scheme although the fact it is there is sad in itself. The standards that are being implemented come in two parts - part 1 and part 2 I understand - for sub-floor and the testing of the sub-floor. Is there any scientific geological survey of the country to find out exactly from where the pyrite emanates? We have inspections and architects and others signing off on buildings and that is leading to trouble in itself particularly for an owner signing of on one-off housing. It would be good to pinpoint the problem. Initially it was thought that it was all sand based but it has now been found that it can arise when quarry is blasted. Is there a map? I saw a map that just shows the areas that are included but it is not a geological survey map. It is basically a pyrite identification map of Ireland. Is there a proposal to have a geological survey carried out to determine which quarries will not be certified and should be closed down? In this way the problem could be nipped in the bud rather than having multiple testing. For example, if one house is built with stone from a certain quarry, it must be tested and another house built with stone from the same quarry must also be tested. The same testing could be carried out 100 times on the same material whereas only one test would be required if the source of the stone was known.