Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)

I thank the Minister for his reply. There is an issue here which has been raised by local and national media. On a local radio station a senior engineer, Mr. Brian Ross of Longford County Council, spoke about pipes not being laid properly. He said this was a major problem for the council because until they are able to take over the estates, dig up and relay the pipes householders may face this problem again. That is only one example. The Irish Independent raised the matter in connection with another issue about building regulations and asked whether there was compliance by builders and whether there were sufficient inspections. Ultimately, it is householders and taxpayers who pay for badly built new housing estates and badly laid water pipes.

The Minister set out the policy, the guidelines, the building regulations and so on. The problem is that the guidelines are not being adhered to. Perhaps it is the responsibility of the councils to inspect but do they have the capacity to do so? Obviously, they are not doing this in all housing estates and in every house. What is the Minister doing to ensure there are more inspections and enforcements? In the latest cold spell housing estates were identified where builders did not lay pipes properly. What action will be taken in respect of those builders?

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