23 Jul 2012, 16:55
The Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht will tomorrow meet with Brendan Tuohy, Chairman of the Pyrite Panel, to discuss its report into structurally damaging mineral pyrite.
It is estimated that about 12,000 homes, predominantly located in eastern counties, have structurally damaging mineral pyrite in their foundations.
The independent Pyrite Panel was established in September last year by Minister Phil Hogan to recommend steps to resolving the pyrite issue. In a report published last week, the Panel issued 24 recommendations to resolve the issue. It recommended that 850 homes that have significant damage should have repair works carried out as soon as possible at an average cost of €45,000 per home, or €50 million in total.
Committee Chairman Ciaran Lynch TD says: “The Committee has followed this controversy closely and is acutely aware of the anxiety and distress for the thousands who bought homes affected by pyrite damage. Tomorrow we will explore with Mr Tuohy his Panel’s extensive report, which proposes 24 recommendations as a pathway forward on the issue. Central to the considerations tomorrow will be the €50 million repair costs and the legality of where those costs lie.
“HomeBond, the company which provides structural defect cover for new houses, controversially decided not to cover the cost of damage caused by Pyrite. Last October, the company also declined an invitation to appear before the Oireachtas Environment Committee when requested to do so. We will wish to explore with Mr Touhy the Panel’s opinion on Homebond’s withdrawal of cover to pyrite-damaged homes and the potential steps to remedy the situation.”
This meeting with Mr Tuohy will start at 2.15pm on Tuesday, 24 July, in Committee Room 4, Leinster House 2000.
Committee proceedings can be followed live here.
Access Pyrite Panel report via Department of Environment website.
For further information please contact:
Paul Hand,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Communications Unit,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2
P: 01 618 4484
M: 087 694 9926
F: +3531 618 4551
Committee Membership
Joint Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht
Deputies: James Bannon TD (Fine Gael); Paudie Coffey TD (Fine Gael); Niall Collins TD (Fianna Fáil); Noel Coonan (Fine Gael) Leas-Chathaoirleach; Marcella Corcoran Kennedy TD (Fine Gael); Luke Flanagan TD (Independent); Kevin Humphreys TD (Labour); Ciarán Lynch TD (Labour) Cathaoirleach; Sandra Mc Lellan TD (Sinn Féin); Tony Mc Loughlin TD (Fine Gael); Michelle Mulherin TD (Fine Gael); Catherine Murphy TD (Independent); Gerald Nash TD (Labour); Brian Stanley TD (Sinn Féin); Robert Troy TD (Fianna Fáil).
Senators: Senator Cáit Keane (Fine Gael) Senator Denis Landy (Labour); An Seanadóir Fiach Mac Conghail (Neamhspleách); Senator Catherine Noone (Fine Gael); An Seanadóir Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fáil): Senator Ned O’Sullivan (Fianna Fáil).