Thomas Byrne (Fianna Fail)
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I will not use all of my time. I am seeking clarification on the progress the Government is making on the issue of pyrite. There is no need for me to speak about the issue in detail. It is heartbreaking to visit people who are affected by this issue because their houses are falling apart. I have seen numerous examples of that in recent years. The pyrite-related damage that is being done to buildings and people's homes, as a result of bad planning and bad regulation, is unquestionably one of the most tragic hangovers of the Celtic tiger years. I am happy to give the Government a chance to deal with the issue and live up to the commitments it made. I understand that the pyrite review group, which was established by the Government, is to report imminently. I would like the Minister to give the House an update on when those who are affected by this matter will get some clarity on the Government's intentions in this regard.

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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I thank Senator Byrne for raising this issue. I agree with him that it is a serious matter for the householders involved. Notwithstanding the fact that the State is not liable for these issues, I decided to establish an independent panel to examine them because I felt we were obliged to see what we could do to help people. I asked the panel to complete its work as quickly as possible. All Oireachtas Members from the constituencies that are most affected by this problem, including Dublin North, Meath East, Meath West, Louth, Kildare North and Laois-Offaly, have been invited to attend a meeting next Tuesday at which the chairman of the panel and his colleagues on the panel will ask for views and discuss ideas on the basis of the experience they have built up with the industry and with householders. This is the final step in the process before the panel produces its report. While the panel has some continuing work to do, I expect the completion and publication of the report to take place in a matter of weeks. Perhaps the Senator will have an opportunity to debate this issue further arising from that.

I will speak briefly about the overall question of building control policy. Even before the issues relating to Priory Hall and other developments arose, I was concerned about the failure to provide for proper building control within the framework of enforcement regulations that have been drawn up. I intend to make changes to the technical guidance document of the building regulations, in relation to certification. They will be sent out for public consultation in the near future. I hope they will be seen as a robust response to the difficulties that householders have had with pyrite and as a result of lax standards. I attach a very high priority to consumer protection in the area of quality construction of new dwellings. I look forward to receiving the panel's comments on the importance of dealing with this important matter. Through no fault of their own, householders have gone through a very difficult time. I hope that with the help of the panel, we can come up with proposals and recommendations that will assist them as quickly as possible.

Thomas Byrne (Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Minister for his response. I look forward to the meeting he mentioned. Like the residents, I have put my faith in the response of the Government on this issue. We are concerned that it seems to be dragging on a little while the problems of residents are getting worse. The cracks in many houses are getting bigger as the weeks go by. I had a frightening experience last week when I visited a house that was built seven or eight years ago, but the cracks only became apparent in the last few months. I visited another house that is in the same boat. It is frightening that these problems can develop at any time. I look forward to the meeting and to a comprehensive response on this issue from the Government, which will have to take action to force insurers or other responsible interests to pay up. These houses will have to be fixed. None of these home owners has any resources to do that.

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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I accept what the Senator has said. We are all on the same page in relation to this matter. We want to help people who, through no fault of their own, were dealt a severe blow when products of a certain quality unfortunately got into the construction system. The results of that are evident when one looks at the condition of houses. I am determined to assist in trying to solve the serious problems that face many residents. I look forward to having constructive discussions to the end in the next few weeks. I assure Senator Byrne that even though I had hoped to receive the report by 1 March, I suspect we might get a better result because we have had to wait an extra few weeks. We might be able to work with the insurance companies, which he mentioned, and the industry itself to devise a framework within which people can be helped.