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

I have always made it clear that I believe the parties identified in the report of the independent pyrite panel as having a responsibility to provide solutions for affected homeowners should contribute to the resolution of the pyrite issue. In the past 18 months or thereabouts I have tried to bring about a resolution of the issue involving these parties. Unfortunately, this did not prove possible.

The Pyrite Resolution Board which I established earlier this year on an administrative basis remains in discussions with HomeBond to agree the contribution it can make to the implementation of the remediation process. These discussions are ongoing and the exact nature of HomeBond's role or contribution has not yet been agreed between the parties. Nevertheless, I expect HomeBond to make a contribution, notwithstanding that it is a private company.

As far as I am concerned, the greater the contribution, the better for the role that they played in the past in terms of not complying with fulfilling that role.

The board will be responsible for overseeing the delivery of the pyrite remediation scheme and will be supported in this endeavour by the Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency. I understand that panels for contractors and other professionals will be established by the housing agency. In fact, that process is underway. In addition, a register of competent persons, who have undertaken appropriate training, has been established by Engineers Ireland to undertake the building condition assessments.

It is not envisaged that the board will commission building condition assessments, either directly or via a third party such as HomeBond. Building condition assessments will be procured directly by affected homeowners although, under the proposed arrangements, they may claim reimbursement of costs, subject to a maximum of €500, should their application be accepted into the pyrite remediation scheme subsequently.

I share Deputy Clare Daly's annoyance about the contribution that HomeBond has made. It has not been satisfactory to date and we continue to do everything we possibly can, notwithstanding it is a private company, to extract as much as we possibly can out of it to help the distressed homeowners in this case.

See this speech in context