Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank all Deputies who contributed to what has mostly been a constructive debate on these issues. I also thank them for the honest way in which they brought to the attention of the House their experiences on behalf of the home owners who we are all trying to help.

Legitimate questions have been asked about how the problem arose and the length of time that people whose homes have been affected by pyrite have been left without solutions. Mindful of the distressing and challenging situation with which those home owners have been coping, I set up the independent pyrite panel last year to table proposals to assist in providing them with solutions.

It was a legacy issue that I found in the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government, and although I did not want to meet it I had to take it head on. I am the only Minister to have done something about this by setting up an independent panel to establish once and for all the extent of the problem rather than having figures bandied around like snuff at a wake. We now have a comprehensive report with recommendations I intend to implement.

The conclusions and recommendations that Mr. Tuohy and his team formulated are very carefully considered, with much consultation having taken place with groups and individuals, including people in the building and construction sector, banks and insurance companies. Everybody was consulted in comprehensive fashion. I thank the public representatives, particularly those in the affected constituencies, for their engagement with the panel and for helping to bring information to its attention before it formulated conclusions.

I agree with the view of the pyrite panel that it would not be reasonable to expect dwellings not exhibiting pyrite damage to be remediated simply because there is pyrite in the hard-core filling. Currently, the only recognised remediation method for pyrite-damaged dwellings involves the full removal and replacement of the infill. It is a disruptive and expensive process, although some research is being undertaken into a number of alternative preventative methods that could provide solutions in future. That will not in any way deal with immediate concerns.

The number of affected dwellings has given rise to some speculation and debate but the methodology used by the panel in arriving at its figures is robust. We could argue all day about the extent of the problem but we are not here to argue about figures but rather to discuss helping people with the problem now or those who may have it in the near future. The panel was very clear about where responsibility lies, and I have already dealt with that issue. I want to ensure that in dealing with those who are responsible for the problem, there will be a speedy resolution to the matter in the form of financial contribution to a fund to help homeowners. I have asked Department officials to finalise arrangements for the establishment of this proposed resolution board and to give the terms of reference to stakeholders. They can be examined over the next ten days and if some parties wish to make voluntary contributions, as has been indicated, I would encourage such an act over the next ten days. There is a narrow window of opportunity in that regard.

I assure the House and the people affected by pyrite that I will implement the recommendations as quickly as possible and seek Government sanction to impose a mandatory level to fund the remediation process if stakeholders do not come to the table with the necessary responsibility and proposals to rehabilitate the reputation of the industry which caused these problems.

If people want to play politics with the issue, either in the professional or political sphere, that is fine, but I am only interested in finding solutions for homeowners and ensuring that the people who caused this problem will pay for the resolution. I commend the constructive approach of the Pyrite Action Group in helping me to help its members. I will report progress to the House in due course and subsequent to the Government decisions that I will ask to be made with regard to the recommendations of the pyrite panel. I will also bring forward new proposals for building regulations to make up for the problems of the past and to ensure homeowners of the future will not have to suffer in the same way as the people who are affected now, either by pyrite problems or building deficiencies such as those evident in Priory Hall or other areas. I am very much on the side of the consumer and homeowner in this regard and I am determined to ensure the recommendations will be implemented in full.

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