Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The Minister said that the problems in construction were largely due to inadequate design, poor workmanship and improper materials. That is not quite true. That was part of the problem but it was mainly the quest for super profits by cutting corners, which was facilitated by the State's failure to have a proper system to ensure that standards were enforced and that regulation was put in place. In that sense, the State is responsible and must take a lead in this.

I will deal briefly with the legacy issues. People have catastrophic problems in the homes they purchased at the height of the boom. They are now being told that they must carry the cost of remediation. That is unacceptable. I echo the points made with regard to the report of the review that is held by the Department. It was commissioned in 2015 after the fire in Newbridge. I have tried to get the report through freedom of information requests and questions to the Minister. That information must be published. It is in the public's interest to do so. There must be transparency around this. It is quite urgent, because it is not just Newbridge or Blanchardstown. There was a scheme in my constituency as well in which untold damage was done in 20 minutes. The reason for that and for there being no fatalities is, as Deputy O'Loughlin pointed out, that it happened during the day and people were not at home.

We must ensure the system of self-certification is abolished and replaced with a detailed procedure of independent inspections to ensure compliance with building regulations. We do not have that now. All the bluster from the former Deputy, Phil Hogan, did not deliver that scheme. There must be a proper independent authority. In that sense, I welcome the motion. It is incredibly timely on the part of the Green Party. It is good that it is before us. Not only did local authorities in some areas not have the power but they did not even exercise the power they had, in some instances cynically allowing the Statute of Limitations to run out to leave residents in a situation where they could do nothing. They then said they sent a letter to the management company, told the company that there were a few problems and a few fire safety defects and it was up to them now; that the local authority's job was done. That is not good enough. These legacy issues must be addressed and the State must facilitate that. We must take a lead on it.

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