Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I will respond specifically on amendment No. 9. I want to make sure that people are aware that the Housing Agency will look at foundations and particularly the foundations of homes that have been proven to have pyrrhotite in the block. That work is under way and will be under way by the NSAI, to test scientifically should there be an issue with the foundations.

I said this clearly on Second Stage. I outlined that and people know that should the instance occur that there is an issue with this material, namely, pyrrhotite and that it is present in the foundations and that this is an issue, then we will include it in the scheme. We need to base decisions such as this on scientific evidence, however. We saw at the hearings of the Oireachtas joint committee that there were conflicting views on this issue, and rightly so. Deputies all the way across have been calling for the Government to ensure that the resources we use are targeted absolutely in the right place. I agree with that. Who would state we should not test this material scientifically to find out if the issue is prevalent, how prevalent it is and whether it affects the foundations? I have stated clearly that if that is the case, we will include foundations in the scheme. The NSAI is carrying out that work. The Housing Agency will test and take the materials from the foundations. To repeat, if it is the case, and it is “if” because we do not know that yet, foundations will be included in the scheme. There are very strong views. Some have views that pyrrhotite, in particular in the infill, is a problem. If that transpires to be the case, the scheme will be amended to include it.

To try to put in legislation now something that is not based on scientific fact yet and that we do not yet know would do a disservice to the scheme itself and the legislation. However, I am giving that commitment very clearly. I gave it on Second Stage and I am giving it here again. We are undertaking the work to get independent scientific advice and research on this matter to see if there is a problem. If it is the case that there is a problem with pyrrhotite, particularly in the foundations and infill – that is an “if” because neither I nor anyone here can say that with any degree of certainty and we such certainly – foundations will be included and we will amend the scheme to do that. Therefore, I will not accept this amendment.

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