Rose Conway-Walsh urges geologists to inspect quarry aggregate
Rose Conway-Walsh addressed the Taoiseach about the regulation of quarries and the defective concrete block scandal, urging stronger checks on aggregate quality. She proposed employing geologists to examine quarry materials to restore homeowners' confidence.
Main concern
Rose Conway-Walsh said the country and affected families have paid a price because of inadequate regulation, and that many homeowners — including those in Mayo — are not satisfied with current quarry oversight. She highlighted the absence of geologists examining the aggregate used to build homes.
Request to the Taoiseach
She asked the Taoiseach to review quarry regulation and consider remedial action, arguing the issue could be readily fixed by engaging and employing geologists to test and certify materials from quarries.
Government response
Commissioner Ward responded that he would speak to the minister involved, noting a risk of over-regulation but accepting the point about aggregate quality. He also referenced existing systems to address material quality.
Regulatory context
Commissioner Ward pointed to bodies such as the NSAI and other regulatory entities that deal with material standards, and noted that new bodies had been established following the defective block scheme. The exchange focused on ensuring confidence in quarry products and protecting homeowners.
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Taoiseach, I want to talk to you about the regulation of quarries and you know the price that we have paid in this country and the price that families affected by the defective concrete block scandal have paid due to lack of regulation but the homeowners and I know many of the homeowners I speak to in Mayo are not satisfied with the current regulations of quarries particularly that we don't have geologists examining the aggregate within the quarries that are being used to build homes now I would ask you to have a look at this area to see what can be done in that regard because I think it can be easily fixed by engaging and employing geologists to do the job to make sure that people have confidence in the materials that are coming out of quarries. COMMISSIONER WARD- I will talk to the minister involved in that we can over regulate two but I take your point about the quality of aggregate and the product but there are existing systems to deal with that NSAI are there and various regulatory bodies to deal with the quality of the materials but I will talk to the minister with respect of that new bodies were set up after the defective block scheme Deputy Boy Parish.
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