James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Question 350: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will report on the difficulties that homeowners are experiencing in north Dublin and environs with regard to the pyrite issue which has left those homeowners with defective homes; the measures he has taken to help homeowners resolve this issue in a timely manner; the measures or regulations he has put in place to ensure that this does not occur again; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20986/09]

Michael Finneran (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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The position on this matter was most recently set out in reply to Questions Nos. 285 and 286 of 18 December 2008.

The difficulties being experienced by homeowners whose homes have been affected by pyrite in certain developments in and around County Dublin are fully recognized. However, the resolution of problems arising between building owners and builders are matters between the parties concerned, namely, the building owner, the relevant developer and the builder's insurers. Where the construction of a building is the subject of a contract between the client and the builder, enforcement is a civil matter.

When the issue of pyrite arose, and following an intervention from my Department, the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) proceeded to publish a new amended Standard Recommendation on the use of aggregates as infill for civil engineering and road construction work. The new Standard Recommendation came into effect on 7 December 2007 and it is intended to address the quality standards of new homes and buildings insofar as problems relating to pyrite are concerned. My Department incorporated this NSAI Standard Recommendation into the relevant Technical Guidance Document (TGD-C) of the Building Regulations. A copy of the relevant amendment to TGD-C is available on my Department's website at www.environ.ie. My Department has also notified Local Authorities, the Construction Industry Federation, the Irish Home Builders' Association and other key stakeholders of the provisions of the amended TGD-C. In addition, I am aware that HomeBond has included the amended NSAI Standard Recommendation in their published 6th edition of the House Building Manual.