Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

From having visited a number of the householders affected and having been out campaigning during the general election, I believe the numbers are in the thousands, rather than the hundreds. It is a very significant problem. The home owners were very frustrated by the delay in the panel being set up to assess the problem. I agree with the Minister of State that the panel must now have the time and the opportunity to report, and it is important that it happens within the timeframe available. I want to emphasise to the Minister of State, Deputy English, and to the Minister, Deputy Coveney, as the new Ministers responsible for this area, that time is crucial in terms of the intervention and trying to ensure a solution is found for those home owners. Already a number of the home owners involved have taken measures to take down the outer leaf of the home affected, leaving the inner wall and rebuilding the outer wall. If it is caught early enough, and the expert panel will have to report on this, there is a feeling that this remedy may ensure there is a long-term solution available to homes. However, if it gets to the stage where the inner leaf of the wall is also affected, then obviously the whole house may not be salvageable. It is crucial that we act quickly once the panel reports. I thank the Minister of State for taking up the offer to visit and see the homes. They are home owners like him, and I would encourage the Minister, Deputy Coveney, to attend along with him, so that they are both fully aware of the extent of the problem.

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