Pyrite in houses - State must tackle issue

Those unfortunate enough to live in houses damaged by pyrite will welcome the Government’s €10m to kick-start renovations in 1,000 homes needing immediate structural repair.

According to unconfirmed estimates, up to 60,000 houses were built with pyrite under their floor slabs. Also known as ‘fool’s gold’, it is an iron sulfide and ever since Roman times builders were aware that it causes severe cracking damage.

Environment Minister Phil Hogan says the State will cover repair and accommodation costs. His plan for stronger regulation of planners, architects, inspectors and builders, is long overdue. But why drop the plan to levy quarry owners and insurance companies?

Not surprisingly, pyrite was widely used here by rogue builders during the Celtic Tiger splurge. The State must bear responsibility for the scandalous light-touch regulation of that era.