Seanad debates

Thursday, 7 March 2019

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business

 

10:30 am

Photo of Kevin HumphreysKevin Humphreys (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I raise the issue of defective developments all around the country. I have an eight-page document detailing housing estates and apartment complexes everywhere from County Louth to County Wicklow. They are in Swords, Sandyford, Spencer Dock, Belmayne, Kilmainham and Ratoath, and the list goes on. The residents of those estates have got much tea and sympathy. I am not laying the blame for these defective developments at the door of the Government. The system of self-certification that caused this problem was brought in by a previous Government. Developers were allowed to use their own employees to self-certify the completion of apartment blocks and housing estates. Real people with real families, however, have been left to face the fallout. The bills from contractors to put right things that should have been done properly in the first place vary from €20,000 to €60,000 and €70,000.

The argument being advanced by the Minster for Housing, Planning and Local Government, Deputy Eoghan Murphy, is that the State cannot take on unlimited liabilities in respect of this issue. However, given that a Fianna Fáil Government brought in the system of self-certification, the State has to take some sort of responsibility. We cannot leave these hundreds, if not thousands, of families in this position. They already have large mortgages and now face having to pay out large sums to fix dangerous accommodation which they were told was fit to live in.

The previous Government was able to resolve similar problems when they arose. We were ready to bring forward solutions for residents. The Government needs to apply itself to finding a mechanism to assist families in these circumstances. I am putting the Leader on notice that if a solution is not brought forward regarding these issues, I will call on the Minister to come to this House and discuss the crisis these families are going through. I have met heartbroken families from the Beacon South Quarter in Sandyford who have been left with enormous bills. This has been discussed in the House but no solution has been advanced.There was talk of low-cost loans and going after developers but nothing has happened and families have been left with the bills and the worry. This can no longer continue. I am putting the Leader on notice that, if a solution is not brought forward shortly, I will propose an amendment to the Order of Business calling for the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government to attend the House to discuss this serious issue.

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