Longboat Quay: ‘Agreed programme of works will be implemented’

A range of questions were submitted to the PR representative for the Dublin Docklands Development Authority.

Instead of providing responses a brief statement was issued, which only referenced some of the questions. Below are the main questions and the statement.

1. Has schedule of works been agreed with Dublin Fire Brigade and your consultant about addressing issues in both blocks pertaining to fire safety, including smoke ventilation, fire breaks in walls, issues around flooring, separation between apartments, and between apartments and common areas, all of which have been identified as posing fire risks?

2. When is the work to begin and how long is it expected to take?

3. Will it be possible to do the work without residents having to leave?

4. Have all the residents and owners been fully informed about the structural problems. I understand that some who have not paid management fees have not been kept fully informed?

5. How many residents/owners are taking legal action against DDDA/management or others?

6. How many residents/owners have made complaints about persistent damp and mould, so bad in some cases that whole rooms cannot be properly used by residents?

7. Sales were closed on two apartments on June 27 and July 1, 2014. Were the vendors aware of the extent of the problems discovered? If not, was there a duty on DDDA to inform them, and was there not also a duty on DDDA to directly inform any purchaser about potential major problems? By June 27, the DDDA was aware the problems were very serious, and a financial liability would accrue.

8. Has Bernard McNamara been contacted directly or indirectly in relation to the state of the buildings which were constructed by his company, particularly with any view to seeking restitution, or at the very least, some explanations?

Reply from DDDA:

“The DDDA and its advisers have worked closely with all relevant authorities and in particular with Dublin Fire Brigade since this issue arose last Summer. We have agreed with these authorities a programme of works that will be implemented to deal with the various issues.

“That programme began by prioritising the shortcomings in the fire alarm system which are now close to completion. Other, structural work will commence in due course . All parties have agreed the programme of works can be amended as necessary if other issues are identified or emerge.

“We are advised it will be possible to complete the vast majority of this work without any residents having to leave their apartments. Depending on the nature of some of the more structural work, some apartments may need to be vacated for a night/ two.

“There has been no distinction as to how we have communicated relevant information to residents in the building based on whether residents have paid management fees or not and all residents have received appropriate information. [There was a public meeting last summer open to all residients and/or owners at which I attended and which dealt with these issues openly and fully].”