Chris Andrews (Dublin Bay South, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

This Bill is welcome. It is long overdue. I understand it was proposed back in the 1970s. It is particularly welcome now. The Construction Federation of Ireland, CIF, has a voluntary register known as CIRI. Credit to the federation for setting up the register in the absence of action by Government. However, when you see the extensive list of building defects around the country, you would have to ask the federation how effective the register has been. I strongly believe that now that Government has decided to act and introduce the Bill, it is important there is independence from the construction sector. We cannot have the construction sector as the judge and jury on a register that is so important. There seems to be little point in having a two-year lead-in time. There is already a scheme in place, so let us use that one and make it independent and introduce it over a period of six to 12 months.

This register should be placed under the management of the National Building Control Office. The Bill provides for the Minister to appoint committee members to the registration board. That is not the way appointments should be made. They should be made via the Public Appointments Service. Given the huge number of defects in modern developments, it is clear that there needs to be greater investment in the building control role of local authorities and a greater increase in the inspection of new builds. If this Bill was in place over the last 15 to 20 years, I would like to think that it would have given protection to residents in the docklands, in areas such as Gallery Quay and Longboat Quay. There are issues in Gallery Quay as a result of building defects. They will need to be addressed. It will involve a huge cost for the current residents. If this legislation had been in place earlier, developments such as Poolbeg Quay and Ringsend would not be facing the serious construction defects they are currently facing. It is unbelievable that 64 apartments were built and sold as they were. They were mortgaged by Dublin City Council. Two families believed their dreams had come true, but it is all turning into a nightmare for them. Everyone is washing their hands of the issues that they have. The only thing that is certain is that it is not the fault of residents in Poolbeg Quay. Homeowners in Poolbeg Quay should not have to pick up the tab. They will not be letting the matter go. They will fight for justice and fairness. It is not fair to expect residents to be held responsible for something not of their making. I will be standing with them.

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