Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the current position regarding the development of primary legislation for dealing with the levies required to resolve the problems being experienced by families in pyrite contaminated homes; when a fully appointed resolution board will be in place; and if it will include a representative of the Pyrite Action Group in order to best address these continuing problems causing much hardship and concerns to the persons affected. [6050/13]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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I recently received Government approval for the imposition of a levy on both the quarrying and insurance sectors, as recommended by the independent pyrite panel. Preparing the necessary primary legislation, in conjunction with the Office of the Attorney General, is now under way and a priority for the Department. I intend to bring proposals to Government in this regard in the coming weeks. It is my intention that the Bill will be published and enacted in the shortest possible timeframe.

I previously announced the appointment of Mr. John O’Connor, formerly chairman of An Bord Pleanála, as chairman of the Pyrite Resolution Board, the establishment of which was also a recommendation of the pyrite panel. I am also appointing to the board Paul Forde, joint managing director of DBFL Consulting Engineers; Sean Balfe, a structural engineer with the National Standards Authority of Ireland; and Caroline Gill, a former Insurance Ombudsman of Ireland and deputy Financial Services Ombudsman. I will also appoint a representative of the entity being established by the construction sector to undertake a remediation programme as the final member of the board. The board will thus have membership with the particular range of skills and experience necessary to oversee the successful operation of the remediation scheme and to ensure the public interest, and the interest of the affected homeowners, is well served. Given the focussed nature of its particular role, I do not propose to include a representative from the Pyrite Action Group on the board. I am, however, confident the board will have the requisite mix of skills and experience, including in regard to consumer protection, to ensure an efficient and effective remediation process is delivered to all affected homeowners.

Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)
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It is disappointing not to have a date for when the legislation will be brought forward. Only the quarry and insurance industries are being levied. Part of the recommendation was to include the building industry. Why is it not included with regard to the levies? It is important that we move quickly because many people are stuck in the situations in which they find themselves.

Given what the Minister has said, we have agreement from the banks to a €50 million fund. Surely we can get that fund in place and work with the residents while we are sorting out the necessary legislative issues. I am sure that can be done. It is disappointing that we do not have a balance on that committee. I would like to have seen someone representing consumers, not just skilled people and those who are part of the industry. It is disappointing that we do not have a counterbalance in that regard.

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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I am disappointed that Deputy Ellis is taking such a negative view about a positive proposal. I would have expected that he would be supportive of the speed with which we are acting and getting money from those who are culpable in this regard - namely, the quarrying and construction industries and the insurance sector. Homeowners' interests will be represented with great effect by Ms Caroline Gill, who is a former insurance ombudsman. She has a lot of consumer experience and has also been a member of the directorate of consumer affairs.

Contrary to what the Deputy has said, I will be proceeding as speedily as possible with the necessary legislation. For the first time, my Department will be acting to try to help homeowners who have been affected, which is what this is all about. In addition, the Department will be monitoring the industry and those who are culpable regarding the type of product material that was supplied in this instance, which has contributed to the homeowners' problems, as well as the financial institutions that will be making the necessary financial response to this matter. Although it is not directly responsible on behalf of the taxpayer, the State will be facilitating this process.

Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)
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I have praised the Minister for moving this matter forward and have not been at all negative.

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy is negative.

Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)
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I am being negative from the point of view that the situation is serious.

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy is still very negative.

Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)
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I am also curious about how the household charge exemption for people with pyrite will be judged. It may be at an early stage but we will have a lot of people claiming exemptions which will be difficult to judge. Will the resolution board be examining that matter or will it be the Minister's call?

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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I hope the Deputy is not tempted to advocate that anybody and everybody should apply for an exemption on the basis that they allegedly have Pyrite in their dwelling.

Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)
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No.

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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This will require a protocol to be put in place, so they will have to prove they have pyrite in order to get a property tax exemption. One would expect nothing less, otherwise we would have a serious problem with local government finance and I am sure Deputy Stanley would not like that.