Fine Gael TD for Dublin North, Alan Farrell, today called on the Minister for Environment, Phil Hogan, to take swift action to mitigate against the pyrite epidemic which has caused significant damage to recently built houses.
“Pyrite is a building material which has caused significant damage to homes. It has been used in the construction of an estimated 20,000 houses in north Dublin, Meath and Kildare and has left home owners facing massive bills for problems such as cracked walls and floors.
“I am calling on Minister Hogan to act in a swift and decisive manner to strengthen the building regulations to prevent pyritic material being used in the construction of residential properties in the future.
“As the owner of a house with pyritic backfill, I am acutely aware of the dramatic impact that this issue has on homeowners. I have been contacted by numerous home owners who are experiencing serious defects within their homes. Pyrite has already affected thousands of householders in North Leinster and in my own constituency of Dublin North and it is an issue that requires immediate action.
“The previous Fianna Fail/Green Party Government refused to act on the pyrite issue since it was first identified as a problem in this country in 2007. After four years of inaction, it is essential that we now dramatically strengthen the building regulations to prevent the problem occurring in newly constructed homes. This is the only way that we can be assured that future residential properties can be free from pyrite and that future home purchasers can be protected.
“The strengthening of the building regulations is essential in order to prevent history repeating itself.”
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