Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE) | Oireachtas source

Today, we heard news about fire defects at one of the largest housing developments in the State, the Phoenix Park Racecourse apartment complex. Up to 550 apartments are affected by major deficiencies that could result in a fire racing through the common areas and spreading to other apartments. These are just some of the 100,000 apartments and duplexes around the State that are affected by latent defects. The vast majority of apartments built over the past three decades are affected. People are facing bills of up to €67,500 in some cases, and most are not aware of this yet. More importantly, many are living in unsafe apartments. On "Prime Time" last week, Philip, who lives in the Crescent apartment complex in Park West, spoke about his fear. He lives on the fifth floor and would not be able to make it down in time to escape a fire.

There are multiple potential Grenfell Towers in this country. How did we get here? A big majority of these apartments are unsafe because of a regime of self-certification, first introduced by Fine Gael and passed by Fianna Fáil Governments. This allowed builders just to certify that they had built according to the plan. What is unique in the case of the Phoenix Park Racecourse is that the developer, Flynn and O'Flaherty, is still onsite. The developer has reportedly told affected owners that it sees no basis to get involved and that the cost is on the owners because the apartment blocks were completed approximately 18 years ago. They have washed their hands of it. In some cases, developers are still operating under their then name and in other cases, the developers are still operating but they have just changed their name. In the case of the Crescent Park West, the developer, Harcourt Developments, recently received a major State contract for the redevelopment of the North Quays in Waterford. What will be done to hold these developers responsible for their corner-cutting profit pursuit that has put people's lives at risk? Does the Minister think they should just be allowed to walk away with no consequences for building unsafe homes? Does he agree they should be prosecuted for criminal negligence? Does he agree they should not get any more State contracts? Does he agree the law should be changed so that the Statute of Limitations for civil cases does not start to run until the faults are discovered?

I am in touch with hundreds of residents of apartments and duplexes who are affected. They were all glued to "Prime Time" last week where their story was told, but they were deeply concerned by what the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, said. He repeated, over and over, that the victims of these defects would be given help. They are not looking for help, tax credits or partial compensation. This is not their fault at all. They are looking for recognition. This is the Government's responsibility, as well as the responsibility of the builders and developers. Residents are looking for 100% redress, with the State taking full responsibility while pursuing the developers.

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