Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)
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168. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to address the serious issue of the presence of mica in building blocks used in housing construction; if a similar process will be initiated to deal with this as was done in the case of pyrite; and if an investigation to ascertain the causes, and identify the source of the problem, will be carried out. [13428/15]

Paudie Coffey (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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While I fully appreciate and acknowledge the extremely difficult and distressing situations that householders have to deal with when faced with the consequences of poor workmanship or the use of defective materials, in general, building defects are matters for resolution between contracting parties, i. e. the homeowner, the builder, the materials supplier and/or their respective insurers. In the event that the parties cannot reach a settlement by negotiation the option of seeking redress in the Courts can be considered. In this context, I believe that the parties responsible for poor workmanship and/or the supply of defective materials should face up to their responsibilities and take appropriate actions to provide remedies for the affected homeowners.

Having regard to the particular circumstances concerning the presence of muscovite mica in concrete blocks used in the construction of dwellings in north Donegal, my Department has recently received a number of test reports that were commissioned by several of the affected homeowners to ascertain the particular cause of the structural problems impacting on their homes. These test reports are currently being reviewed by my Department and a report will be prepared for my consideration in the matter shortly.