Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The outstanding issues for finding a resolution in the North include an Irish language Act. We should remember there is a Welsh language Act and a Scottish language Act in place. Along with the bill of rights, these are issues outstanding from the Good Friday Agreement that we all speak of but which has not been implemented fully. There is also the matter of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual rights. I have watched with great interest the response of the British media and commentariat, who have all of a sudden discovered the policies of the DUP in recent times. It is those very policies that we wish to deal with and ensure we can have a genuine rights-based society in the North of Ireland. I hope we can achieve that.

I rise to speak about the report of the expert panel on concrete blocks. I am sure the Leader is familiar with this report and the topic was covered again on RTE's "Prime Time" in recent days. According to the report, up to 5,000 private homes - I believe it could be more - in Donegal could be affected. It is devastating. The home is the biggest purchase by a family or individual and it is repaid over decades but these homes are falling apart. There are hundreds of homes in Mayo affected, as well as the homes and council houses in Donegal. It is a profound crisis. As the Leader knows, there is a very good precedent in the pyrite redress scheme.

I ask for a debate as this is a very important issue. It is correct that there were many debates in the Dáil on the pyrite problem and that culminated in the redress scheme. I ask the Leader to set aside time in this Chamber for a debate on this report. We need a redress scheme for families. There was a profound failure in building control and in the self-regulation of the building sector. The State failed our citizens profoundly and we cannot walk away and let the houses crumble in front of these people. It is a devastating matter. Not a week goes by in which I do not speak to a family in my home county about what is happening. I can also tell Members about similar problems in Mayo. Will the Leader confirm today he will set aside time for a debate on this very important report? Will he bring the Minister before us and impress upon him the urgent need for a redress scheme?