ULA motion seeks home repair scheme

The Government must begin emergency repair works on “tens of thousands” of homes affected by pyrite and inadequate fire safety measures, a private members motion before the Dáil this evening demands.

The motion, put before the Dáil by the United Left Alliance calls for major remedial works on affected homes to be initiated by the State but ultimately to be funded by the original developers.

It notes “the inordinate political influence” of some developers over several decades, “resulting in a wholly inadequate regime of regulation, supervision and inspection in the construction industry”.

It is highly critical of current building regulations “reliant as they are on self-certification by building contractors, architects and engineers” and low inspection rates.

“Tens of thousands of families and individuals who purchased homes during the period since the introduction of Building Regulations 1997..[were now] ...left with no recourse against contractors and developers who sold houses which are now presenting with major structural damage due to pyrite-induced heave” or had inadequate fire-safety.

Pyrite, sometimes known as “fool’s gold”, is a mineral which naturally occurs in stone, but when exposed to air or water it becomes unstable and can cause structural damage.

“The inspiration for this motion came from the work we have been engaged in alongside residents in estates built during the building boom,” said Clare Daly. TD.

The motion, which will be debated tonight and tomorrow, calls on the State to “accept responsibility for necessary remedial works to make buildings safe and fit for purpose as part of an emergency programme ...and where possible to subsequently pursue the responsible developers and builders to recoup the cost for the State”.