Mr. Pat Montague:

Let me put it this way: we might be if we do not act in a speedy manner. We have put this scheme in place and there are problems, but it is important to say that we made some minor progress in the last couple of weeks. There is a recognition that this scheme is not moving fast enough. We proposed it because we knew it was going to take probably ten to 15 years to sort out all the apartment defects. That was way too long to leave people living in unsafe homes. Three years ago, we proposed to the Minister that we would put an emergency scheme in place, the interim remediation scheme. Our view was that, over a three-year period, we would go through apartment complexes like a buzzsaw, putting in upgraded fire alarms, smoke alarms, lighting - all sorts of things to give people a higher degree of safety. Two years since the scheme was put in place, unfortunately, no grants have yet been issued. I would be hopeful that we might get two away before Christmas, but that is a long way from where we need to be. That is accepted now by the Department.