Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)

I welcome the opportunity to participate in the debate on the Building Control Bill 2005.

This discussion is both very important and very relevant to the times in which we live. We talk about development, planning apartments, and densities in urban areas in particular. Before I go into the details, we should seriously examine the role of developers, pointing out to them that they have duties and responsibilities. They also have a strong duty and responsibility to ensure estates are finished properly. I have been extremely critical of certain developers who have not delivered to the customers who bought their homes. I demand that they finish estates and install the proper infrastructure before they exit. There are also developers who have shown good practice, and I do not wish to exclude them.

Just as developers and builders have a responsibility regarding this legislation, so too do Ministers, Members of the Oireachtas and councillors.

It is a little rich, totally unsatisfactory and unacceptable to have lobbyists and people with bundles of cash knocking on politicians' doors in the middle of the night. Similarly, it is unacceptable to have a politician claiming not to have looked into an envelope and consequently being unaware as to whether it contained €2,000 or €3,000. This is not good enough and must be challenged effectively during this debate. Sleaze and corruption in politics must be rooted out and cannot be tolerated. Apart from politicians, allegations have been made with regard to corruption among officials in different sections of various councils throughout the State and this matter should also be properly investigated. Both officials and politicians have been severely damaged.

As I noted, some developers have done great work. While I welcome the fact that developers make money, it should not be at the expense of taxpayers or young home buyers. If they have extra cash, they should donate it to charities or to worthwhile projects. Some already do so. Politicians must face up to their responsibilities and cannot turn a blind eye. Failure to co-operate with the Garda in this respect is unacceptable. It is unacceptable for a politician not to respond to a letter from the Garda in respect of any allegations of corruption in their council area. One should not remain silent or fail to respond because one does not believe the query to be relevant. Members and political party leaders should note there is no point in throwing stones at the Government parties if they themselves are directly or indirectly involved in such matters. I will not accept this and the Independent Members will stand by the taxpayers and the citizens and will stand up for the people in this debate.

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