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Updated at 7.39pm
THE DUBLIN DOCKLANDS Development Authority has said it will provide financial assistance to help carry out required works on unsafe apartments at Longboat Quay.
However, it has been branded as “wholly unacceptable”.
In a statement this afternoon, it confirmed a “formal final offer” of €2.75 million towards the repairs, which will cost €4.75 million.
This would still see the homeowners having to fork out €2 million to ensure they can live in the property.
However, one group of residents, the Longboat Quay Owners and Residents Group, have contested this. They are argue the outstanding amount is in the region of €3.25 million, as this evening’s offer involves just €1.5 million of “new money”.
The Longboat Quay apartments, built on Sir John Rogerson’s Quay by developer Bernard McNamara, have major deficiencies with their fire safety standards. Residents were told at a meeting on Tuesday that it would take around €18,000 each to fix the problems in the 299 apartments.
Today, the DDDA said that between its contribution and that of the receiver (who owns 18 apartments in the complex), 58% or €2.75 million will be granted to the residents.
The remaining €2 million of the estimated costs will need to be financed by the management company and the apartment owners.
Reacting to the statement by DDDA, the Longboat Quay Owners and Residents group said that while the offer is welcome, “we believe it is wholly unacceptable”.
The terms and conditions attached to this offer are equally unacceptable, not least the demand to transfer responsibility for the common areas to the owners.
“Given these realities, we remain unable at this point to award a contract to rectify the defects and therefore avoid enforcement action by Dublin Fire Brigade.”
RTÉ News reports that Martin McAleese, husband of former president Mary McAleese, has signed as chairman of the Priory Hall Implementation Oversight Group, as he owns an apartment at Longboat Quay.
Earlier…
Nama said that it spent millions of euro repairing other properties relating to Bernard McNamara, the developer behind the Longboat Quay apartments.
Speaking at the Public Accounts Committee this afternoon, Nama’s CEO Brendan McDonagh says 18 of the 300 apartments in Longboat Quay are controlled by receivers who will likely make a contribution towards their repair.
“This is taxpayers money at the end of the day, we’ve got 18 of the 300 apartments. So the receiver is working with Dublin City Council and the Dublin Docklands Development Authority to find a solution where there would be a meaningful contribution made by the receiver,” Mc Donagh said.
“And let’s be honest about it, the receiver doesn’t have the money, it’s us giving the money to the receiver, towards meeting the cost of re-mediation, it has to be re mediated. It is a terrible situation.”
Asked by Fine Gael deputy Patrick O’Donovan whether there were previous issues relating to the same debtor as Longboat Quay, McDonagh said that there were.
“Another major block built by that debtor had some issues and we have spent millions of euro fixing that issue to the satisfaction of the fire safety authorities,” McDonagh replied.
Tánaiste Joan Burton was also asked about the Longboat Quay this afternoon, saying that she knows some of the residents at the property and hopes it can be resolved “as quickly as possible”.
Burton described the properties as a “beautiful development right on the banks of the River Liffey.”
She said, however, that Dublin Fire Brigade has pointed to “serious issues relating to fire safety”, adding that she thinks there is scope for Dublin City Council to fix the problem.
I think the solution is there, we have to bring the city council and the Docklands Authority, which is moving into the council. They have to come together. This is in the hands of the city council to take action as a responsible city authority.”
Burton was challenged by Sinn Féin deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh about why there hasn’t been any new legislation to deal with sub-standard housing.
The Tánaiste said that even if there were it wouldn’t help those in Longboat Quay right now.
“I don’t have an objection to more legislation but I don’t think that it’s needed to address the problems that the families have in the here and now,” she said.
Speaking to Today with Seán O’Rourke this morning, apartment owner and landlord Erica McKerrow-Berthon said her tenant is “terrified” of being evicted.
“She’s one of these hundreds of vulnerable tenants who are living in the complex who – if they do have to move out – won’t find anywhere else to live. Obviously, she’s terrified. She doesn’t know what’s going on,” she said.
“It’s not fair. There were failures in our building regulation control. It shouldn’t be our problem. We are people who work, we’re honest people. We already pay a fortune in management fees. We pay our property tax, we pay for water charges. What kind of country is it that this happens and people have to pay for it? It’s scandalous.”
Additional reporting by Sinead O’Carroll and Nicky Ryan
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The sickness the day after 18 pints would worse I think!
Just keep going so, you only have a hang over when you are sober.
At last an alternative medicine I can believe in
Might just give it a shot purely for scientific research of course.
Guinness is good for you.
BS!
have to admit, I have had pints before to stop a runny nose. it’s does work but no need for 18!
I feel a cold coming on
You certainly wouldn’t notice a cold after 18 pints.
Seeing that it’s hops based, could I justify 6 pints of IPA? Probably not :-(
no wondet I never have a cold :-)
Challenge accepted.
People don’t need to ‘fight off colds’ ,that’s simply an illusion . The idea of sickness only starts in the mind, If you think you are going to get the sick, you will get. You drink beer to get pisseyed.
Have to agree with you on principal. The human body is amazing with the right attitude.
Wait, so you’re saying that if I think a virus exists, then it will just spontaneously exist? I’m going to think really hard about a 50 euro note in front of me right now. Thinking… thinking… thinking… Damn, no 50 euro.
You will need more than 50? for 18 pints
Sure…
Research ‘Placebo Effect’ .
True Knowledge, is power.
I think you are the one who needs to research the placebo effect because you obviously don’t understand the term.
You know it all Barry. Ha ha!
People who research Placebo effect will be simply amazed at the findings associated with its effects on the human body & health.
Placebo effect is real… but let me know if anyone takes a placebo for cancer or AIDS and is cured please.
18? I’ll never get there anyway.
Maddest binge was somewhere around the 14 area. Even if I could remember what was going on at the end of that session, I don’t think I’d want to.
lightweight
Craft beers where its at, wouldnt drink the mass produced pish by u know who in Ireland anymore.
I think I’ve a cold coming on and its Friday. kill two birds with one stone. Gonna have to pay ?1.80 extra though, damm budget
No wonder alcohol still does so much damage when you have such articles
Kevin, cheer up.
I’m happy as ever Damien I don’t drink. However many people I know do and the culture around drink in Ireland is having them pissed every week. Some had been in A&E before, some went to clinics to rid their addiction. It’s sad seen this happen to our nation. All the time you have people commenting on this saying Guiness is good for you?
So you really think alcohol does so much damage because of articles like this?
Being a miserable sod is not good for you either Kevin
No Damien but it fuels the culture and its a culture in decline thank god. Dave I said last comment I’m happy, I’m not asking how you feel to be honest I don’t care. I am concerned about the amount people in Ireland are drinking. I’m only 18 but seen enough devastating incidents in this area whether its a Gaf, pub or night out
Anyway I didn’t actually mean cheer up. It was just a polite way of saying cop on and don’t be so dry.
Why didn’t you say cop on then and stop been so dry? Besides what kind of argument stance is cop on?
I’m trying to make a point on the damaging drink culture this nation has and I’m getting told to cop on?
Guessing the guy who didn want to go church years ago was probly told to “cop on” and look where religion is now. There’s stacks more pleasures in life than getting pissed and until this nation realises that well always have a drinking problem.
Look at the social stigma about Ireland across the world, “drunkin leprechauns” is what most countries think about us. I know I’m not a drunken leprechaun and never will be, what a waste of life.
Kevin, there is no argument.
I think the article is taking the medical advice with a bucket of salt, Kevin.
I think you should read my comments first before commenting yourselves
That’s amazing. I’m currently down with pneumonia in my left lung, has to be one of the worst experiences I’ve had on the illness front yet. It’s kinda funny that the doctor told me to stay away from alcohol as it weakens your immune system. I must give him a ring and tell him that the brewery says its OK and send the mother around the corner to fine wines to pick me up a 6 pack.
I have it at the moment and have been off the beer for weeks!! should have read this first :P
DRINK FEIC GIRLS..what doesn’t kill us will cure us…!
have your say