Patrick Nulty (Dublin West, Labour)
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To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he has requested Bord Gáis networks to inspect and monitor potential leaks due to upheaval from pyrite in all 74 known developments affected by pyrite in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37943/12]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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My Department was in contact with Bord Gáis earlier this year in regard to estates affected by pyrite and, following a review of the estates notified to them, no unusual leak activity was detected. The management of the network is of course a matter for Bord Gáis. In line with normal safety practices, Bord Gáis would advise customers to have gas installations checked annually and, in any case, if a leak is suspected or there is a smell of gas, to notify them immediately.

Patrick Nulty (Dublin West, Labour)
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To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he accepts the recommendations of the City and County Managers' Association that where pyrite problems are found, the sooner the matter is dealt with the better since the costs of remedial work escalate the longer one waits to carry out the work and if he will act on this accordingly; if he will act on the CCMA recommendations 8.1.3 to 8.1.7 for a planned notification system so that in locations where pyrite problems have occurred this information should be used to notify other property owners and to ensure screening surveys are carried out with a view to detecting problems as early as possible and informing people what action they need to take; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37948/12]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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The recommendations referred to arose in the context of a submission to the independent Pyrite Panel established by me to assist in the task of identifying a way forward in relation to the problem of homes affected by pyritic heave. I am assured that all submissions received were fully considered by the Panel in coming to its conclusions and recommendations as outlined in its comprehensive report. The report provides me and the other stakeholders with a detailed framework to move forward towards achieving a solution for homeowners and I have already begun this process.

Patrick Nulty (Dublin West, Labour)
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To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government in view of the fact that according to the Pyrite Report, at present only dwellings where a complaint has been submitted to the structural warranty provider are being considered for remediation, if he proposes to disregard the 10 year warranty limit, given the long time frame over which pyrite damage can materialise and given that HomeBond's publically stated position since August 2011 is that it does not cover pyrite damage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37950/12]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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The figure of 850 dwellings categorised as “red” in the pyrite report is an indicative figure only. The Panel used the information it had collected to estimate the possible distribution of the ground floor dwellings across the three classifications of red, amber and green. However, it should be noted that the inclusion of a dwelling in the 850 figure does not necessarily mean that the dwelling has been confirmed as having reactive pyrite in the hardcore and/or pyritic heave.

The pyrite report clearly states that those parties with direct or indirect responsibility for the pyrite problem should bear the costs of remediation. Those identified as having responsibility include quarries, material suppliers, vendors, builders/subcontractors and relevant insurance companies. It is not intended that the establishment of any remediation process should absolve responsible parties, including warranty companies, from meeting their obligations under the terms and conditions of their respective schemes.

While I have no function in the operation of warranty companies I have expressed my disappointment with the stance adopted by HomeBond in withdrawing, in August 2011, cover for pyrite related damage to homeowners. I fully support the recommendation in the pyrite report that HomeBond should review its position and reinstate cover for pyrite damage. Following receipt of the pyrite report I engaged with all key stakeholders, including HomeBond, with the objective of advancing solutions for homeowners. I have given the stakeholders until the end of September to come back to me with credible solutions to the pyrite problem.