Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)

Belmayne was launched in 2007, as Deputy Broughan knows, at the height of the property boom as a high-profile housing development in Dublin's north fringe. The company behind the development, Belmayne Ireland limited, has had its loans taken over by NAMA. On 6 July 2011 a report was prepared for the chief fire officer of the Dublin region outlining the position with regard to fire safety inspections carried out between April and July 2011 on a number of units in Belmayne. The report indicated that based on visual inspections, the means of escape layout and fire protection facilities were in compliance with the relevant fire safety certificate as issued by the building control authority. While the inspections were limited in terms of the actual construction that could be accessed, the officer reported that the exposed construction inspected was in compliance with the Irish Agrément Board certificate. As we now know, this was not satisfactory. When matters came to a head on 19 January 2012, Dublin City Council, through Dublin Fire Brigade, was notified by a developer of a construction defect. Although nobody needed to move out, it is not satisfactory that a proper investigation was not carried out earlier. I am having these matters followed up.

Deputies Daly and Ellis asked how we intended to deal with the legacy issues. I have asked each local authority to carry out inspections and have areas they suspect are non-compliant with fire regulations investigated as a matter of urgency in the interests of residents. I hope to receive reports from the local authorities shortly so we can identify and address any problems. There is sufficient legislation to allow local authorities to do their business properly, and that is what they have been doing in some cases but not in all. I hope to be able to follow up on this in the near future.

The issue raised by Deputy Ellis was the subject of a parliamentary question on 1 March, the reply to which set out the exact position. I will not read it out again as the Deputy will be familiar with it. Trusted individuals in the professions were asked to sign off on particular items and this was not done in substantial compliance with the building regulations.

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