Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I am concerned by the Taoiseach's answer. He stated that he was aware that there were many other Longboat Quay, Prospect Hill and Riverwalk Court developments, but that he could not tell how many. How long has he been aware of this? How long has he known that citizens are living in unsafe accommodation?

As the Taoiseach has stated, this clearly is the unacceptable face of the Celtic tiger and of Fianna Fáil light-touch regulation. However, it is not enough for a Taoiseach to engage only in the blame game. Neither Members nor the people who live in these developments need to be told what is the problem. The Taoiseach must tell Members the solution. The Taoiseach may recall that the Mahon report had a key recommendation on the appointment of an independent planning regulator but the Government has not acted on this. Will the Taoiseach support the Sinn Féin Bill published today by an Teachta Brian Stanley to establish an independent planning regulator? In addition, will the Taoiseach tell Members why the Government has not introduced legislation to ensure that surveyors, architects, builders and planners are accountable? On what basis, moral or otherwise, does the Taoiseach expect residents to pick up the tab for what he has described as the unscrupulous behaviour of those developers and others who built these unsafe developments? Does the Taoiseach agree with the Minister, Deputy Kelly, that property tax proceeds should be used? Finally, can he confirm whether there are criminal investigations under way into these matters?

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