Paudie Coffey (Waterford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy again for raising these important issues. Anywhere that building defects are found, it is a matter for resolution, in the first instance, between the contracting parties, including the builders and product suppliers. I am conscious that there is a trend indicating building defects in Donegal and Mayo. I am not an expert in the field but I know some preliminary tests of been carried out privately by individuals who have found issues that need to be addressed. The Government and I made the decision to establish the expert panel so we could investigate and analyse the problem properly and produce a report for the Minister.

I cannot speculate beyond that, although I expect the report to be comprehensive and completed by 31 May 2016. At that point, we will decide what action we can take. Someone must be held accountable for building defects and that person must be identifiable. The type of investigation and analysis we have initiated will, I hope, assist those who are stressed because their properties are affected by defects. I am prepared to work with everyone involved. The expert panel is being established and I have put out a call to the relevant professional bodies. Let us wait on the panel to report back to us.

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