Government to examine pyrite issue

NORTHSIDE
residents whose homes have been affected by pyrite are cautiously optimistic
that a resolution can be found after the Government announced it is to set up a
working group to deal with the issue.

Homeowners were
left distraught earlier this month when HomeBond announced that it would not be
accepting liability for pyrite claims.

Pyrite, a
naturally occurring mineral, can potentially cause significant structural
damage to homes if used in the infill below floor slabs.

A spokesman for
the Department of the Environment said it was willing to act as a facilitator
to provide a resolution on the issue.

“Minister for
the Environment Phil Hogan will shortly announce the formation of an
independent working group to facilitate homeowners affected by the pyrite
issue,

? he told Northside People.

“The working
group will call in the relevant stakeholders (homeowners, construction sector
and HomeBond etc) in order to progress the issue.

“At the same
time, it has to be clearly understood that while the State has no legal
liability in the matter, it is willing to act as a facilitator of a resolution
of the issue.

“The minister
will make an announcement in relation to the other members of the working group
shortly.

?

Sandra Lewis,
from Santry, a member of the Pyrite Action Group, said residents were

“extremely happy

? with the Government’s decision to instigate the working
group.

However, she
cautioned that locals have learned not to get their hopes up in case their
expectations are dashed.

“We’ll be
watching this group very closely,

? Ms Lewis told Northside People.

“It is an
independent group, and I think the use of the word independent is vital.

“The Government
haven’t signalled when the group will commence working on issues raised by
locals, but it has hinted that a plan of action will be drafted soon.

?

Ms Lewis said
residents were delighted with the Government’s intervention because no single
individual would have the funds to challenge HomeBond.

“This is a step
in the right direction,

? she added.

“We are hoping
the Government don’t renege on their decision.

“Serious action needs to be taken and in the
run up to the group’s findings we’ll also be gathering as much information as
possible.

?

According to Ms
Lewis, the Pyrite Action Group have been called to address a Dáil meeting on
October 11.

She said the
meeting would discuss in detail the damage to homes caused by pyrite.

“We’ll be given
the opportunity to present outstanding issues for 10 minutes,

? she said.

“We will then
have a question and answer session for a further 40 minutes.

?

Earlier this
month, the Pyrite Action Group held a meeting in ALSAA which was attended by
hundreds of residents across the Northside.

Ms Lewis, whose
home is one of those affected by pyrite, said the meeting discussed a number of
issues that have infuriated residents for the past four years.

“The meeting
provided residents with an opportunity to vent their frustrations,

? added Ms
Lewis.

“There were a
number of issues raised and at times the discussions became fairly heated.

“We managed to
mediate the situation and note down all the concerns raised by locals.

?

Dublin North TD
Brendan Ryan (Lab) welcomed the Government’s move to set up a working group.

“This problem
which is affecting so many householders in Fingal must be resolved,

? said
Deputy Ryan.

“To date the
householders feel they are coming up against brick walls in their dealings with
the various local authorities, HomeBond and the builders.

“I am hoping
this working group can give encouragement to the affected householders that the
Government are at last prepared to acknowledge the problem and deal with it.

?

Dublin North
East TD Terence Flanagan also welcomed the positive development in the saga.

“In addition to
the working croup the Minister for the Environment has also confirmed that a
special hearing of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Environment will be
scheduled for early October to hear submissions on the pyrite issue,

? he said.

“There is hope
on the horizon at last for hundreds of families in Dublin whose new homes have
been blighted by pyrite.

?