Paddy Burke (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I ask the Leader to arrange for the Taoiseach to come to the House to discuss the pyrite and mica crisis. This issue was raised in this House by former Senator, Michelle Mulherin, week after week for four or five years. The current scheme is not adequate and as others have said, it does not even cover people's costs. We must meet 100% of the costs involved. A number of other issues must also be addressed when the Taoiseach comes in. There is pyrite in many council buildings in County Mayo. What is going to happen to those? Houses are only supposed to be returned to the condition they were in when first built but in some cases, that was ten or 15 years ago. What is the position on council houses? Are they going to be put back to the standards of ten, 15 or 20 years ago or will they be rebuilt as modern houses? These issues must be addressed. There is also the issue of accidental landlords and second homes, which is not addressed by the current scheme. While the 90% scheme is very welcome as a starting point, we must move to 100% and I ask that the Taoiseach comes to the House to address this issue.

I am sure the Cathaoirleach would like to join me in wishing a very happy retirement to Ms Ann Nolan from Ballycastle, County Mayo and Ms Mary O' Malley from Achill Island, County Mayo, who have manned the switchboards in Leinster House for the past 37 years and 35 years, respectively. They have done a magnificent job over those years. It is great that when one rings Leinster House somebody answers the phone, unlike so many other institutions around the country. I would like to wish them both a happy retirement.