A chairperson has been selected to the expert panel to investigate the problems in concrete blocks in Donegal and Mayo.

Mr. Paudie Coffey TD, Minister of State for Housing, Planning and Co-ordination of Construction 2020 Strategy, has appointed Mr. Dennis McCarthy to chair the expert panel.

He said: "Mr. McCarthy, as a former Director of Services with Waterford County Council, has the necessary mix of skills and experience that will be required to direct and manage the work of the expert panel over the months ahead and facilitate the delivery of a comprehensive report on the problems that have emerged in the affected dwellings. With the chairperson in place, the Department will shortly be writing to a small number of professional bodies to seek nominations for suitable persons to participate on the expert panel.

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"While building defects are matters for resolution between the relevant contracting parties, such as homeowners, builders, suppliers and/or their respective insurers, I am acutely aware of the many stressful and distressing situations facing homeowners who have to live with the degradation of their homes on a daily basis and I am convinced that an independent expert report outlining how their problems can be addressed will be of immense value and support to those homeowners in the future."

(CD/LM)