Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 September 2012
57. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he has accepted all of the recommendations of the recent report of the Pyrite Panel; if he has established a timeframe for implementing all of the recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39034/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI welcome the report of the independent Pyrite Panel which I published on 18 July. It is a comprehensive report containing twenty four inter related recommendations covering a wide range of issues. The report provides a framework to move forward and make progress towards providing solutions for homeowners.
Implementation of many of the recommendations requires the involvement and co-operation of a number of stakeholders and other bodies and may also require detailed policy and legislative considerations. The Pyrite Panel included a detailed Implementation Plan in its report identifying the bodies with primary responsibility for implementation of the various recommendations. While it is not possible to put a definite timeframe on implementation at this early stage, I will be working with those bodies identified in the Implementation Plan to achieve progress as quickly as possible. I am conscious of the plight of homeowners who are coping with very difficult situations and I can assure the Deputy that my Department and I will pursue the implementation of the report with the urgency it deserves.
Work has already commenced on a number of fronts. I have engaged in a consultation process with responsible stakeholders and have set a deadline of the end of September for them to come back to me with credible solutions. Work is also progressing on the development of a testing protocol and a method statement for remediation work. Recommendations in relation to the development of a mandatory certification system for buildings and a registration process for builders are currently being dealt with by my Department.
