I ask the Taoiseach about staffing levels in the National Building Control Office. Building and fire safety defects, mica and pyrite have cost the State billions. The human cost of building defects has been devastating in terms of the trauma it causes for people who are living in homes that are not safe while the developers responsible got away and evade any meaningful accountability.

Since it was set up, the National Building Control Office has never been fully staffed. The director of the office, Ms Mairéad Phelan, has described this understaffing as a national emergency. Seventy-two people lost their lives at Grenfell Tower when fire safety and building regulations were not properly enforced. When is the Government going to take the issue of regulating the building industry seriously? What action will it take to ensure that the National Building Control Office is properly staffed?

The Department takes this matter very seriously. I read the reports in the media over the weekend. Additional resources have been provided. However, the Department will discuss with the National Building Control Office the matter of its additional resourcing requirements.

It has never been properly staffed.

I have given a commitment-----

The local authority will not even advertise the positions.

I have given a commitment to take up the matter with them. I will discuss it with them in great depth. That is what is now required.