Government approves pyrite legislation
Fine Gael Meath East TD, Helen McEntee, has said she will work with the Minister for the Environment, Phil Hogan TD, to ensure the enactment before Christmas of legislation which will put the Pyrite Resolution Board on a statutory footing and give effect to the remediation scheme for homeowners affected by pyritic heave. Deputy McEntee was speaking after Minister Hogan announced that the Government has approved the publication of the Pyrite Resolution Bill 2013 and the early enactment of the legislation.
“The publication of this legislation is an essential part of the resolution process for homeowners in Meath and elsewhere affected by pyrite,' she said.
'Putting the Pyrite Resolution Board (PRB) on a statutory footing will allow it to begin its work as quickly as possible. Once the legislation is passed through the Oireachtas, the PRB will be able to work with the Housing Agency to allow remediation works to be carried out on the homes affected.
“Only when the necessary remediation works are carried out will homeowners dealing with pyrite be able to get on with their lives. I am confident that we are finally nearing the end of what has been a long, drawn-out and stressful resolution process for pyrite homeowners. In October, the Government announced that it will provide an initial €10 million in funding for remediation works. The publication of the legislation will allow for this money to be utilised.
“I am very eager for the legislation to be passed through both Houses of the Oireachtas before Christmas, so we can avoid any further delays. I am pleased that Minister Hogan has said it is his intention to bring the Bill before the Oireachtas next week, so it can pass all stages before the Christmas recess. I would also hope that all Parties will cooperate to ensure speedy passage of the legislation. Passing the legislation will allow the PRB to begin accepting applications, setting in train the process for repairs and remediation works to be carried out.
“Homeowners in Meath have waited long enough to get to the end of the resolution process. I am relieved that the legislation will be published shortly, allowing for the final pieces of this process to be put in place, and remediation works to be carried out as soon as possible.”
The Minister's Statement
The Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Phil Hogan, has today (10 December) announced that the Government has approved the publication of the Pyrite Resolution Bill, 2013 and the early enactment of the legislation.
The minister said “Further to Government Decision of 15 October 2013 which approved the drafting of a Bill to provide for the operation of a pyrite remediation scheme to be financed from Exchequer funds, I am pleased to announce that the Government has today (10 December 2013) approved the publication of the Pyrite Resolution Bill.”
The minister added “The Government has previously approved €10 million initial funding to kick start the scheme, with additional funding to be allocated over the next two years.”
The minister said, “I will be bringing the Bill to the Oireachtas in the next week and it is my intention that it will pass all stages before the Christmas recess. This will enable the Pyrite Resolution Board to begin taking applications as quickly as possible and more importantly that remediation works will commence as early as possible in the New Year”.
The minister concluded: “I am keenly aware of the long wait that many affected homeowners have had to endure in waiting for solutions to the pyrite problems in their homes. It has not been an easy time for those people and I understand how stressful such situations can be but today’s Government Decision represents another important milestone on the road to providing solutions for homeowners and to put an end to the long wait. An end is now in sight for homeowners and I know that the Pyrite Resolution Board is as anxious as I am that the remediation works will commence at the earliest possible date.”