andMr. Enright asked the Minister for the Environment if he will consider the introduction of a scheme of mandatory registration and licensing, including qualifications and criteria, for companies engaged in the window installation business; if he is aware of widespread dissatisfaction with the standards operated at present by a number of companies in this field; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Window Installation Standards.
1.
I am not aware of any widespread dissatisfaction with the standards operated by such companies and I have no present intention of introducing controls along the lines suggested by the Deputies.
I am surprised at what the Minister has said. Is he aware that there is widespread concern? In his answer he says that he is not aware of widespread concern. Did he consult with the Garda Síochána, specifically the Fraud Squad and, indeed, any reputable companies in this field, to ascertain precisely the degree of concern at exploitation?
In reply to the Deputy, I presume his question refers to companies fitting windows into new and existing houses. For new houses, local authority or grant-aided, the requirements are set out in the Department's outline specification for grant-aided houses, which ensures that the work must comply with the relevant Irish standards — in this case IS 63, wood casement windows and IS 60, galvanised steel windows. The Department have received no complaints in regard to these.
For existing houses, there are no mandatory standards for the installation of replacement windows. However, where a loan is granted by a local authority or where a grant has been approved by the Department of the Environment for work which included the replacement of the existing windows, the new windows would have to comply with the relevant Irish standards. I have not received any complaints. If the Deputy has any complaints in writing and submits them to me, I will be only too glad to have these investigated.
I will be happy to do that. Can the Minister recall a number of questions about specific companies to which he replied some months ago indicating that his present assertion that he has received no complaints is completely unfounded? Further, is it not the case that his total reply refers only to cases where loans or grants are sought and does not relate to this question which is about private commercial deals in a field where the primary culprits are people well known to the Garda and the primary victims, because of the nature of the buildings which are usually old or in need of some degree of maintenance or refurbishment, are old people who are open to exploitation? Finally, if I submit to the Minister not one or two, but many complaints, will he undertake to have his Department investigate each one thoroughly?
Consumer complaints made through an architect or engineer will be investigated by the Institute for Industrial Research and Standards. The IIRS have received a very small number of complaints about window installations over the past three years. However, if the Deputy produces to me complaints in writing, I will certainly have them investigated.
A final supplementary, Deputy.
I want to be clear about this matter. The Minister a moment ago said that if I submitted them he would have them investigated. He then said that the IIRS would be the body investigating the complaints.
A question, please, Deputy.
Who precisely will investigate these complaints? I do not want to be fobbed off again with a second-rate answer on an issue which has been tabled in this House for the last six months and which is causing national concern. Because of the concern of many people in this area will the Minister, out of courtesy to the people who put down this question, consult the Garda and one or two of the more reputable companies in this field who will tell him precisely what is going on? At the termination of that consultation would he then review his decision not to introduce such regulations or standards as would then be appropriate, arising from that inquiry?
In the first instance, I will not refer them to the Garda, because I have no reason to do so.
I ask would the Minister to be kind enough——
Please, Deputy I allowed a final supplementary and the Minister has replied.
The Minister misunderstood the question.
The Minister has misunderstood what I have said.
I do not think so.
I did not ask that the Minister would refer them to the Garda. I asked would he be kind enough to have somebody senior in his Department consult with the Garda about complaints which are on their files and which they are doing their very best to solve? Would he be good enough to do that?
That is the affair of another Department. It is not up to me, as I have received no complaints.
That is not true. The Minister has answered questions about complaints.
There have been very few complaints.
Would the Minister please answer Question No. 2?
I hope he will make a better job of answering that question than he did on mine. I have not received any help or information at all.
I understand that the IIRS received very few complaints.
The Minister said he had received no complaints.
Would the Minister kindly reply to Question No. 2?