Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We can all agree that there are a number of entities that bear responsibility for this - builders in some cases and other professionals involved in the construction business. The State also has a degree of responsibility, particularly pre-2014 when building regulations were not what they are now and were not enforced in the way they are now. Ultimately, while the State will pick up the bill for almost all of this work, the cost inevitably falls back on the taxpayer and the people. That is what happens in these scenarios and that is unfortunately where we are.

On fire safety, the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, is working with the Housing Agency on advice and guidance that owners and management companies can take when carrying out such fire safety works. This includes funding mechanisms for interim fire safety measures in extreme cases. The Minister will publish further details of this in the coming weeks.

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