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SINN FÉIN TD Dessie Ellis, has called on the government to provide funding for repairs to houses in need of immediate works due to pyrite contamination.
He made his call during a debate in the Dáil last night following the deadline for stakeholders to submit possible resolutions to the on-going issue.
Ellis said apart from the residents, “there is not really any innocent party in this scandal”. “The state allowed regulations which failed to stop this contamination and failed to legislate to protect citizens from this.”
“The quarry failed to identify pyrite contamination as did the construction companies and finally Homebond who washed their hands of the whole situation and behaved incredibly badly,” he said.
A report published in July revealed as many as 10,000 homes could harbour unidentified pyrite problems.
It was recommended that 850 homes that have significant damage should have immediate repairs to stop further damage being done.
Ellis said the state must put in place an industry levy to pay for works and monitoring of other contaminated homes which are not in need of work at present.
“Immediate work is necessary and the state must put up the money for this on the basis that those identified as being liable will in the longer term pay back this debt,” he said.
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