Clare Daly (Dublin North, United Left)
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577. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government when the review of the National Standards Authority of Ireland's standard relating to pyrite will be concluded. [33138/15]

Paudie Coffey (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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The review, or revision, of national standards is a matter for the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI). However, I understand that in August 2015, the NSAI initiated a review of I.S. 398 -1:2013 Reactive pyrite in sub-floor hardcore material – Part 1: Testing and Categorisation Protocolin the light of practical experience since the standard was first introduced in January 2013. This involves gathering of submissions from the expert committee established for the purposes of the review ; my Department understands that this process is now underway.

The current programme indicates that this initial stage, i.e. the review process , should be completed in Q4 2015. A review of I.S. 398 -2:2013 Reactive pyrite in sub-floor hardcore material – Part 2: Methodology for remediation worksis also scheduled and will follow a similar programme.

I also understand that the expert committee, having considered the review submissions, will then make recommendations for the NSAI’s consideration regarding the appropriate course of action which may include either a recommendation to leave the standards unchanged or a recommendation in support of a programme for the revision of the standards. Subject to the recommendations being accepted by the NSAI, the work programme will then be implemented accordingly by the expert committee.