Irish Examiner view: Watchdog legislation undermined by lack of funds

Garda Fraud Squad seriously  under-resourced

 Lack of funding has undermined the work of the  Garda Fraud Squad.  Picture: Larry Cummins

It is a well-documented fact that the Garda fraud squad is under-resourced. The same short-handedness stymies investigations into online crime, especially sexual exploitation.

Last week’s Dáíl protests over pyrite or mica damage to homes are just the latest in a litany of examples showing that meaningful regulatory supervision is, at best, lax in the building sector. Those facing unexpected bills, often north of €25,000, to make homes safe, despite regulatory approval, can only look on with a degree of envy, as the mica scandal is of such a scale that it cannot be ignored by the Government.