Crowe points finger at defective blocks culprits

CLARE TD Cathal Crowe declared himself “happy” when he spoke about the budget in the Dáil, but he did criticise the introduction of a levy on concrete products.

“The concrete levy of 10% is something I have a number of concerns about. Just a few weeks ago we passed a massive redress package for home owners with defective mica and pyrite concrete blocks in their buildings.

“It was right to do so. The detail of that will be stitched into regulations and brought forward in a redress scheme homeowners can apply for very soon – it is to be hoped before Christmas.

“I do not know if it is fair to put a 10% levy on each person who tries to undertake a building project, be it with concrete blocks or liquid poured concrete, over the coming months.

“To me it seems that they are being burdened with a levy that the suppliers and manufacturers of these blocks should pay for.”

He claimed it is widely known who is to blame for the defective products and they should be accountable.

“The dogs on the street know who made these blocks. CHR plc, in my constituency, was a major manufacturer and supplier of these blocks. Cassidy Brothers in Donegal is known.

“We cannot always say that on the street, but we can say it in here. It is those companies we need to go after.

“The Office of the Attorney General is preparing a landmark legal case to take some companies through the courts system and recoup the costs on behalf of the taxpayer. That needs to be expedited.”