I am happy that this motion has been brought forward today. I urge the Minister to progress it without delay. Homeowners in my constituency have waited far too long. In the context of Rush, Lusk, Ballyboghil and Skerries in Dublin Fingal West, I have been dealing with this issue for years, dating back to my time as a councillor. I have submitted numerous parliamentary questions and direct emails to the relevant Ministers. I have met with families and some older homeowners who are living with constant stress and uncertainty as they watch their homes deteriorate before their eyes. These are investment properties, holiday homes and family homes, built on the basis of years of hard work and sacrifice. Homeowners have found themselves trapped in impossible circumstances with homes crumbling around them. Their homes are effectively unsellable. Many are uninsurable. Yet, the same families continue to face mortgages, bills and liability for property tax in respect of homes that are fundamentally defective. The emotional and financial toll this takes on these families cannot be underestimated. For too long, these families have felt ignored and left behind. They have spent years fighting for recognition and inclusion and simply to be treated fairly. Today's motion is important, and a necessary step for the affected homeowners in my constituency and in Wexford. However, I must send a clear message that there is an urgency involved. People cannot continue to live in limbo. Every month of delay means more damage, stress and uncertainty for families who have been pushed to the limit. The least we can do is move this process forward as quickly as possible and provide clarity, certainty and support. I would like to take a second to acknowledge the campaigners in my constituency, many of whom I stood with outside the gates of Leinster House at the start of this year. These homeowners never gave up hope despite the frustration and delays they faced. They continued to engage by means of Zoom meetings that I organised, stayed connected through WhatsApp groups and consistently informed and supported each other throughout their campaign for action and recognition. Their persistence and determination brought us to this point. I thank them very much for that. I support this motion. The homeowners I deal with have made one thing abundantly clear to me. They want the remediation process to be delivered as quickly, fairly and efficiently as possible. They also want assurances that rapidly rising construction costs will be fully taken into consideration in order that families will not left out of pocket while trying to rebuild both their homes and their lives. They have waited long enough. This is the ask that came through to me from four or five of them this afternoon. They want a timeline regarding when they can apply to Fingal County Council and when they can avail of this scheme.

Sentiment score: 0.13