Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

No one has been more proactive than the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, in dealing with issues in respect of defective blocks and apartments. He has commissioned the largest and most significant survey of apartment defects in this country. He has the results of that report. He has indicated repeatedly to the House that he will be bringing forward a scheme by the end of this year in respect of apartment defects. He has already introduced a most comprehensive scheme in respect of mica. A previous Government brought in a scheme in respect of pyrite. In the first instance, those in construction, including builders and in the case of mica, quarries that supplied defective blocks, are responsible. The Government has taken the view that the residents facing such a situation should be looked after. It is not the residents' fault. That has been the clear position of the Government. Responsibility is on the builders, insurers and all the rest, and there should be mechanisms, including bonds, to protect people from defects.

Because of the need for people to live in their primary residence and to have a roof over their head, the Government is going to come forward a with very comprehensive scheme to deal with this, just as we have in respect of mica and other areas as well. Many of these have occurred in more recent times in respect of the apartment defects, but this does not lessen the need to do something about it. I know the Minister met with the Construction Defects Alliance last week and also met with the apartment owner group and network. He is very proactive on this issue and the scheme will be brought forward and published before the end of the year. Deputies will have an opportunity to have an input into that in respect of its precise nature. I have no doubt Deputies will bring forward amendments and make suggestions to the Minister.

We took on many additional recommendations in respect of the mica scheme when we met with representatives of residents, and that is in comparison with the previous scheme that was introduced some years back. The Minister will publish the scheme before the end of the year and we will engage with Members of the House in respect of it.

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