Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 September 2015
586. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he has appointed the independent panel to examine the issue of the impact of defective mica blocks on homes and families in County Donegal; if so, when it will commence its work; and when it will complete its report and recommendations. [33209/15]
View answerWhile I fully appreciate and acknowledge the extremely difficult and distressing situations that certain homeowners in Donegal are facing on account of damage to the structural integrity of their homes, in general, building defects are matters for resolution between the relevant contracting parties, i.e. the homeowner, the builder, the materials supplier and/or their respective insurers. In this regard, 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.
In the event that the contracting parties cannot reach a settlement by negotiation, the option of seeking redress in the Courts can be considered. In this context, my Department understands that legal proceedings have been instigated in a number of cases relating to this problem.
Earlier this year, I agreed to visit a number of the affected homes to view first-hand the damage being caused; my Department also met with a number of the affected homeowners in early December 2014. At my Department’s request, copies of test reports on the affected concrete blocks, which had previously been commissioned by a number of homeowners, were made available to my Department in order to provide a more detailed and scientific insight into the problems that have emerged in Donegal. A technical report has been prepared for my information and I intend to complete my consideration of this matter shortly.
