Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)

I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 32 to raise a matter of national importance, namely, the need for the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and the Government to help immediately the 20,000 householders whose homes are defective because of the presence of the defect pyrite in the foundations of their homes. The Government is of the opinion that simply by ignoring and denying this issue exists, it will go away. Unfortunately, it will not. Responsibility lies with the Government to help those homeowners suffering anxiety, stress and depression because of what has happened and is happening to their homes. If the Government had not allowed light touch regulation in the building industry, this catastrophe would not have happened. The Exchequer has collected more than €12.2 billion in stamp duty in the past five years from hard-pressed homeowners. I appeal to the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to tackle the issue head on as it has been dragging on for two years.

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