Ward challenges the Tánaiste on quarry audits and IS 465 delay

Charles Ward, the 100% Redress Party TD, has challenged the Government’s position on defective concrete and quarry oversight during a Dáil exchange with the Tánaiste Simon Harris.

Raising the matter in a Question on Promised Legislation, Charles Ward said families affected by defective concrete are continuing to face devastating financial consequences and retained defective concrete, as delays to the updated IS 465 standard persist.

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The issue arises in the context of a long-running complaint to the European Commission by Donegal homeowners concerning failures in construction product regulation and market surveillance. While the Government maintains that no deficiencies have been identified since 2021, that position was directly challenged.

Deputy Ward pointed to information obtained under Freedom of Information relating to quarry audits carried out by Donegal County Council, which he said raises serious concerns. These include reliance on incomplete sulphur testing and wider compliance gaps.

He argued that this points to potential failures in oversight and enforcement, at a time when affected homeowners are still seeking answers.

With engagement at European level ongoing, Deputy Ward questioned whether these issues have been fully considered by the State.

The QPL follows an earlier contribution in the Dáil this week during the motion of no confidence, where Charles Ward said the Government’s handling of the defective concrete crisis has driven families in Donegal to the brink. He said Donegal has been consistently sidelined, pointing to 14 years of failed and inadequate schemes, and warned that people have simply had enough of broken promises and Government inaction.

Speaking afterwards, he said:
“People are angry, and rightly so — serious questions remain unanswered, and families are being pushed to the brink mentally. The Government cannot keep delaying or deflecting.”

Deputy Ward also called on the Government to outline what legislative or regulatory changes are now being considered to address any weaknesses in market surveillance, and to confirm when the delayed IS 465 standard will finally be delivered.