Patricia Ryan (Kildare South, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I begin by welcoming the people in the Gallery. I also welcome the publication of the report of the working group to examine defects in housing. It is obvious that much work has gone into its 260 pages.

The report estimates that up to 100,000 homes could be affected by building defects with a potential cost of remediation as high as €2.5 billion. There are many examples of building defects around the country and the obvious ones are mica and pyrite. We in Sinn Féin support 100% redress for the individuals and families affected.

There are many homeowners who feel the effect of the light-touch regulation hangover from the Celtic tiger. Residents in Oak Grove, Derrinturn have had to endure collapsing canopies, serious cracks and other defects in their homes. In March 2015 a fire ripped through a terrace of six homes in Millfield Manor in Newbridge, County Kildare. The timber frame construction used in the building was supposed to provide an hour-long firebreak between each home. The 90-house development was built by Barrack Construction between 2006 and 2009 and the blaze burned all six homes to the ground in less than half an hour. It was a miracle nobody was killed. The affected families were left with nothing except the clothes on their backs. A report was commissioned and only became public through a freedom of information request by an Teachta Ó Broin. Residents have described the report as a whitewash as it identified the risk was moderate. The cost of remediation from the remaining homes is estimated at €35,000 per home and this is money the residents do not have. The director of Barrack Homes, Paddy Byrne, filed for bankruptcy in Britain with debts of €100 million. The bankruptcy was extended from one year to ten years after it transpired Mr. Byrne had sought to conceal funds by transferring €500,000 to his ex-wife and another €500,000 to his niece. In 2012 Mr. Byrne formed a new company called Victoria Homes with his sister listed as director. By 2019 Victoria Homes was involved in 24 separate developments.

For too long there has been a cosy relationship with developers and no consequences for wrongdoers. This needs to stop. Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me. We need action. We need 100% redress. We need consequences or things will never change. If the Government is not willing to change the consequences, it is time it left office.

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