asked the Minister for Local Government if, in view of the imminent danger arising from the multiple structural defects recently detected in high-rise system-built local authority dwellings in Ballymun and other areas of Dublin and also throughout the country, he will hold a public sworn inquiry in the matter.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - High Rise Building Defects.
26.
I am advised that "multiple structural defects" have not been detected in the Ballymun flats or elsewhere where the Balancy system of construction has been used, and that there is no question of "imminent danger" in these flats as alleged by the Deputy. During routine inspections, in the course of normal maintenance, officers of the corporation discovered that, in a small number of the flats at Ballymun, there had been slight expansion and contraction of the concrete, probably due to temperature variations. The position was investigated first by the corporation's technical officers and later by these officers and expert structural engineering consultants. The experts concluded that these movements did not pose any danger to the residents but decided that the nature and extent of the movements should be monitored scientifically over a period of time, to establish if the movement is continuing and what are its causes. The corporation are making the necessary arrangements in conjunction with the Institute for Industrial Research and Standards to have this done, and have detenanted a small number of flats to enable the necessary delicate instrumentation to be installed.
I am satisfied that the detailed scientific investigations which are proposed by the corporation are the proper method to deal with the present situation, and that it would be entirely unnecessary and inappropriate to hold a public sworn inquiry. The Deputy can rest assured that if any action is found to be necessary, as a result of the detailed investigations now being put in hands, it will be taken by the corporation.
I welcome the Minister's statement on this matter because there are many people in Ballymun, and elsewhere, who are fearful of the possible consequences. I also fear that this may be used by another element in order to instil fear into the people. Would the Minister consider issuing a public statement to allay the fears of the people living there and to give Ballymun a chance which it never gets?
I have just done so.
Would the Minister consider doing it by way of public advertisement?
The information which has been given to the tenants in Ballymun, and which I have now given to the House, should be sufficient. Anyone who suggests that there is any danger does not appear to understand the system involved because the panels which have moved very slightly on the inside but not on the outside are bolted on to structural steel. The steel has not and cannot move so there is no danger involved.
Would there be some sinister reasons behind this?
I do not think so because if there was anything I should be condemning it the same as anybody else. I condemn the idea of Ballymun and I think it was wrong to put them up there but that does not mean that the flats are in danger of falling down.
Would certain people have some sinister reasons for putting out these stories?
I would not say so. I think these stories are put out by people who do not understand the position and are offering comments without investigating the matter.
(Dublin Central): I think a certain amount of emotionalism crept into the situation there. I can see how easy it is to create such emotion particularly among those living on the 12th and higher storeys. Everything possible should be done to defuse any emotions and for this reason a statement by the Minister about the matter would be welcome and is desirable.
As soon as the matter was brought to my notice several weeks ago I asked that technical scientific investigations be carried out by the corporation. The result is that there is absolutely no danger to the people concerned. It is simply a question of finding out why it happened so that this cannot happen again if this type of building is to be used.