Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)

Like other Members, I received a magazine from the Construction Industry Federation, CIF, this week. I could not but be struck by its front page headline, "Building a Better Ireland". I found this rather ironic when we consider what the CIF's members have built which is central to this debate. We have homeowners in mortgage debt arrears, negative equity and living in ghost estates with no facilities and then the appalling conditions in certain homes with fire hazards and pyrite. This is all due to a lack of regulation, inspection and the elimination of the functions of the Clerk of Works.

Flicking through the CIF's magazine, my attention was caught by another article entitled, "Safety First". I support its call for ensuring the safety of workers on building sites, as we know there have been far too many fatalities. The CIF claimed in the article that it was playing its part to maintain high standards of on-site safety, which I support. However, where is it in maintaining high standards among builders and developers?

I have been involved with constituents in Ballybough dealing with pyrite problems in their homes. They were so thrilled to move into their new homes only to discover, gradually, the structural damage caused to their homes by pyrite. It included cracks in the brickwork, fractures in houses, tiles coming up, floors moving and doors starting to move out of alignment. Some of the builders involved are still working, some are not. I cannot understand why they are not pursued. Neither can I understand why pyrite was not covered by builders' insurance. This problem is now with Dublin City Council and the residents are waiting for the promises made to be fulfilled. These include the undertaking of a comprehensive independent survey to ascertain the full extent of the problem. There is a specific role for Dublin City Council and other local authorities. However, there is also a role for the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government which must commit to funding to ensure these homes are restored to the standard the residents deserve.

It is scandalous to learn of a fire safety certificate being issued prior to building commencing with no follow-up during construction. I must acknowledge that my contact with fire officers in Dublin City Council has been positive. They acted quickly in a particular apartment block that had come to my attention. Self-regulation should not be on the agenda because inspection should be rigid, strict and independent of vested interests. The great line in Hamlet about something rotten in the state of Denmark applies to the construction industry, the planning sector and the development culture, with its unhealthy relationship between certain politicians, political parties and developers. Crony capitalism is really corruption and we saw what it led to.

All planning decisions should be made in a comprehensible and transparent way. That is the start of solving the problems in this sector. Central to these problems is land speculation. In 1974 the Kenny report called for an effective end to land speculation. If only this recommendation had been implemented, proper standards would have been set, starting with planning procedures and moving to actual building. Before he left office, the then environment Minister, Mr. John Gormley, had been working on a review of planning practices in several local authorities. He had received reports from county managers to start that process. I received a reply to a parliamentary question this week which stated the Minister was proceeding on the basis of the work already done in this area and would examine cases. I wonder about it being done internally.

I support An Taisce's call for an independent planning regulator. The rottenness at the core of the sector must be rooted out because it is unfair to those builders who follow ethical standards and proper procedures.

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