Defective Building Materials
Dail Éireann — 2026-04-21
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Pat the Cope Gallagher (FF), Donegal

I thank the Minister for the response but all that is new in it is that the regulations are in the final stages of drafting and will be available to the Minister to sign within the next couple of weeks. Back in committee last year, I was told completion would be in quarter 1, but it is now quarter 2. I was told completion would be in the middle of April. This is not what my constituents want to hear. I want something definite. I appreciate that officials will be drafting but all hands have to be on deck over the next couple of weeks. By the end of this month, or certainly by the early days of May, the regulations have to be finalised. It does not mean that those who have already received planning permission for a side-by-side build can start immediately. They have to make the application. Somebody will decide who qualifies and who does not.
There has to be flexibility. It is not just about a physical disability alone. Other factors have to be taken into consideration. I hope we are not back in the House on the second week of May debating this. I plead with the Minister of State to impress upon the officials that this matter is vital to the individuals concerned. It is urgent because families cannot progress without the provision being signed into law. They are left in limbo and they are waiting for clarity. The ongoing delays are causing stress, uncertainty and disruption to their daily lives.
This has already been a multi-year issue. I hope this is the last time it will be discussed in the House. I hope that when the guidelines and regulations are signed off, we will not be back here again requesting that they be amended. They should be all-encompassing and cover all individuals I have referred to.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2026-04-21/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-09-21T01:01:08+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-04-21