Onus to repair apartments on DDDA, says Renua

Dublin Docklands Development Authority (DDDA) is responsible for the Longboat Quay apartment complex and should pay the €4 million required to address fire safety hazards which could force the evacuation of 900 residents, the Dáil has heard.

Renua leader Lucinda Creighton said the docklands authority engaged in a public private partnership with developer Bernard McNamara, "who is not available to deal with this or pay for any of this so the DDDA is responsible and ought to pay".

Ms Creighton, who sharply criticised Minister for the Environment Alan Kelly for not attending in the Dáil to address the issue, said the Minister ought to ensure that the docklands authority paid for the repairs and prevent 298 families from having to be evacuated from the apartment complex in the capital's docklands.

Ceann Comhairle Séan Barrett also criticised the Minister for not appearing in the House after Minister of State Séan Sherlock attempted to defend his absence and said the issue had already been raised earlier in the House.

But Mr Barrett said the Department and the Minister were advised that the matter would be raised on topical issues and he told Mr Sherlock he should tell the department that “we do not want any of these excuses”.

Ms Creighton described as “derisory” an offer yesterday by the docklands authority to offer €2.75 million, that this included the €1 million already spent in remediation works.

Sinn Féin’s Aengus Ó Snodaigh had earlier criticised the “systemic failure of the Government and local authorities to follow up on reports that some complexes in Dublin and elsewhere throughout the country are too dangerous to live in”.

He said a proper audit was required of all properties built during the boom throughout the State, but particularly in the docklands to ensure they were given a clean bill of health.

No legislation

Mr Ó Snodaigh asked why no legislation had been produced to address the problems and help the victims. He cited other examples of serious flaws including pyrite-damaged Priory Hall, Riverwalk Court in Ratoath, Co Meath, Gallery Quay in Dublin where some of the residents had been forced out “but a year and a half later there is still not move to do the remediation work”.

He also referred to the six houses in Newbridge, Co Kildare that burned down while the local authority identified 90 houses with the same flaw but the residents were required to fix it.

Tánaiste Joan Burton said that “with goodwill from Dublin City Council, which is taking over Dublin Docklands Development Authority this issues can be resolved and the safety of the residents ensured”.

But Mr Ó Snodaigh asked “why does the Government not take the initiative?” He asked why no legislation had been introduced and said there was a need for laws “to ensure surveyors, architects, planners and in particular developers can be held to account over their failures”.