I have contributed to many of these debates because, like many others, I appreciate the hardship that people are going through and because Fingal is situated in my constituency. On the one hand, I welcome that there is a scheme proposed for Fingal, Wexford and other counties in terms of remediation for defective concrete blocks. Piecemeal as it is, as many others have said, I will not be opposing it. However, no more than the rest of it, the scheme is still not fit for purpose. It is not sufficient for people who need help. There are no stage payments. There are a lot more social houses in Fingal compared with places on the western seaboard. I see no reference to these types of dwellings or a specific plan for social housing, because people can be made homeless in those situations as well. In line with issues raised by my colleague Deputy Charles Ward in relation to Donegal, Mayo and places all along the north-western seaboard, I believe, as others have said, that nothing less than 100% redress will be sufficient. We are talking about people's lives here. I again point out that the Government was asleep at the wheel in terms of ensuring that there was sufficient regulation and that this was enforced. It would be great if the industry could pay for this. When companies do not exist and they cannot pay, the liability unfortunately falls to the State, which failed to regulate. That is disappointing. I am not an expert, but I heard Deputy Ward refer to defective materials that are still out there. That is something which should not be allowed to affect the lives of more homeowners in any way, shape or form.

Sentiment score: -0.03