Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Departmental officials continue to engage with HomeBond with a view to getting it to re-enter the negotiations to solve this problem. The National Standards Authority of Ireland will set up the best standards in this regard. The pyrite resolution board will commence work in the first quarter of 2013. As stated, that may be the best time for the reintroduction of this proposal for further debate, when we can review what progress has been made. The priority system will be based on the traffic light system, with red indicating immediate work, green indicating no work is required and amber indicating continuous monitoring is required. The pyrite resolution board will oversee progress of the work. Homeowners will receive a certificate stating their homes are free of pyrite. New building regulations will require builders, architects, engineers and surveyors to sign statutory certificates. Departmental officials will continue to engage with the insurance and construction industries. A lot of progress has been made.

The Minister hopes voluntary agreement will be reached between all parties. If not, he will take the actions outlined in the report, including the introduction of a levy in this regard. It is critical that builders, HomeBond and the construction and insurance industries step up to the mark and do what is required. If they do not do so and the Minister has to act to force them to do so, confidence in the building industry will never be restored. They must step up to the mark, as we believe they will. It is hoped that when the motion comes before the House again during the first quarter of next year, we will be able to offer a progress report.