Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I would have thought that, tragically and to the cost of the nation, we had learned much about the issue of fire certificates when the Stardust tragedy occurred. The matter the Deputy raises will come before the courts again this weekend. I know the people who are in the Regency Hotel are greatly discommoded and have been greatly upset by the finding that fire walls were not built between the apartments they had bought in good faith as homes in which to raise their families and do their business. We feel for the families in question. While I cannot give the Deputy a timeline, the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government will contact Deputies about the matter. At many locations around the country things have come to light which have shown that self-regulation has left much to be desired in cases where planning permissions were being issued.

Thanks be to God, a fire has not erupted in Priory Hall and lives have not been lost in a fire tragedy. I hope the decisions handed down by Mr. Justice Kearns will be acted on swiftly and effectively to allow the families in question to return to their apartments in good time for Christmas. They are obviously upset and discommoded in their current surroundings which are located some distance from their homes. On the other hand, it is better to deal with the problem now in order that they have a guarantee that they will be able to live without fear and anxiety.

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