Paudie Coffey (Waterford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am certainly not trying to absolve the Government or State of any responsibility in this regard. It is a pity the new building regulations and inspection regime introduced by the Government had not been in place many years ago as it may have prevented many of the legacy issues highlighted by Deputy Daly.

I reiterate that the pyrite resolution scheme is an option of last resort. The Deputy referred to many other issues related to defects in building materials and construction. The primary responsibility for those problems rests with the builders who cannot be let off the hook if they are found to have been in any way negligent.

We are dealing with the pyrite issue because these people have been left in isolation, with little or no support, and the Government is intervening to assist them. I reassure the Deputy that the funding is in place to address the remediation of a number of houses, which we have outlined will happen in 2015. There will be continuous engagement between the project managers, under the auspices of the Housing Agency, my Department and the Pyrite Resolution Board to assist these people as much as possible.

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