East Antrim MLA Alstair Ross has responded to comments from the SDLP’s Mark Durkan which appeared to criticise the DSD Minister for investigating failures in the Housing Executive’s maintenance contracts beyond those carried out by Red Sky.

Commenting, the Social Development Committee member said: "It is beyond belief that there are some people who would attempt to cast doubt over the need for a proper and thorough investigation of all the maintenance work carried out by the Housing Executive.

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"There were critical concerns raised when the Red Sky contract was terminated that this work may simply move from one company with failures to another. What the Social Development Minister initiated was a process to look at all of these contracts and will take action against all contractors where any such failures are found.

"The forensic investigation carried out on these contracts has produced three Lever Arch files full of evidence about failures in the maintenance contracts and work carried out by a range of the companies involved. This evidence includes work that was not completed to any acceptable standard and others where companies claimed for work that was not even carried out at all.

"Quite why any MLA or any Party would even allow themselves to appear as if they are justifying this is inexplicable."

(CD)