Clare Daly (Dublin North, Socialist Party) | Oireachtas source

The response from the Minister of State was disappointing. I am not being in any way disrespectful towards the judge involved in the process but that is not really the issue. Certainly, residents are not happy that the Government would hide behind this process and delay meeting them. There is no excuse and there is no contradiction preventing the Minister from meeting the residents because that process is underway. The reference to pyrite is a bit like hiding behind the non-answer that is there. This development, which probably cannot be repaired, is a health and safety deathtrap. One of the residents made the point on Saturday that Tom McFeely, rogue and all that he is, developed good buildings in Great Britain. He did so because he knew the British state would chase him and ensure that regulations were enforced. This State did not do so. We are culpable, the Minister is our representative and must meet these people and the State has to take a lead in dealing with this situation. The development should be knocked down, the banks which are our banks should be made pay a price in respect of that and the mortgages should be transferred to other properties to allow these people to move on with their lives. If we are here in another six months on this, it will be an absolute indictment of the Minister and Government.

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