Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 27 September 2012
130. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government if he will ensure that all homes containing reactive pyrite be systematically remediated; the steps that have been taken to ensure that mortgage providers and insurers are not blacklisting pyrite remediated developments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41157/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI believe the approach recommended by the Pyrite Panel to categorise dwellings provides a practical solution to prioritise the remediation of affected dwellings. I agree with the approach recommended in the pyrite report that it would be unreasonable to expect dwellings not exhibiting damage to be remediated simply because there is pyrite in the hardcore and this position is supported in the High Court judgement of Mr Justice Charleton in the case of JEC-v-Irish Asphalt, on appeal to the Supreme Court.
The pyrite report contains a number of carefully considered and well founded recommendations on how banks/mortgage providers and insurance companies should deal with the pyrite problem. While my Department has no regulatory oversight for those areas it will be working with the appropriate regulatory bodies and industry to advance the relevant recommendations in the pyrite report.
I expect all stakeholders, including the banks, mortgage providers and insurance companies, who have a role to play in advancing solutions for homeowners , to face up to their responsibilities and work with me in implementing the recommendations in the pyrite report.
