Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I agree with the sentiment behind the amendments put forward by Senators Reilly and Darragh O'Brien. I remind them that there are established practices for chairpersons of statutory bodies to appear, upon request, before Oireachtas joint committees. It is also implicit that the chairperson will attend before the Oireachtas committee on the environment on receipt of a request from the committee. I shall go further and say to the Seanad that I will be in receipt of quarterly reports from the chairperson of the pyrite resolution board so shall lay them before the Houses of the Oireachtas. I shall do so in order to update Members of the Oireachtas, on a regular basis, on the progress or otherwise that has been made with the scheme. All statutory bodies are required to supply an annual report and that gives another opportunity to the relevant committee, or the House, to discuss the reports, if they wish.

I am not disposed to amendment No. 6. I am keenly aware of the long wait endured by many affected home owners for solutions to the pyrite problem in their homes. It has not been an easy time for them and I am anxious to put an end to their waiting by ensuring that the pyrite remediation scheme is adopted and implemented at the earliest opportunity.

The amendment proposed is not required, having regard to the detail already provided in the Bill. The pyrite remediation scheme will be developed in accordance with the detailed provisions set out in sections 14(2) and (3). It will set out, in an open and transparent manner, how the entire process will operate under the auspices of the pyrite resolution board, including the roles and responsibilities of the board and the housing agency, the applications and appeals processes and the requirements on applications and applicants.

The draft scheme will be subject to my approval before it can be made and put into operation by the board and will be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas.