Levy on concrete blocks

Sir, – A point which seems to be missed in relation to the concrete levy is that this levy, being placed on the price of concrete products, will be borne by the consumers, ie the contractors, and ultimately the building purchasers. But these consumers have already been let down by the concrete suppliers who will be unaffected by the proposed levy. Where is the fairness in this?

Of course it is Government which has also let down the construction industry in relation to defective hardcore (due to pyrite) and defective concrete blocks. There is no effective regulation, inspection or control of building materials. The issue of defective building materials is currently treated as a civil law matter. But we can clearly see that this does not work, as the complexity and cost of rectification dwarf any capacity for the offender to pay. As a consequence of this, the taxpayer and the consumers end up footing the bill.

If the pyrite and mica scandals have taught us anything, it is that Government needs to step up to regulate and control the sale and manufacture of building materials. – Yours, etc,

JOHN DEATON,

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Dundrum,

Dublin 14.