Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 9:

In page 9, between lines 16 and 17, to insert the following: "(16) The Minister shall request the National Standards Authority of Ireland to complete the review of I.S. 465:2018, in a timely manner and as far as is possible to ensure that that review is completed in time for the opening of the Defective Concrete Block Scheme as provided for in this Act.”.

IS 465:2018 outlines a protocol which can be used to assess and categorise the damaged properties, such as concrete blocks suspected of containing the minerals mica and pyrite. It is ensuring that the defective concrete blocks system is robust, and I believe that it is important. It is in the interests of everybody - the Minister and Senators elected, and the councillors who represent these communities that are affected by this problem - that this issue would be addressed.

It is a simple commonsense amendment. I do not think the Minister is against it. We may have issues around timing and when it will happen. I would urge Senators to vote in favour of this amendment.