“We may have to demolish Priory Hall and start again” – Hogan

Minister for the Environment Phil Hogan has said that the development may have to be knocked down.

Speaking on Today With Séan O’Rourke, Hogan offered his sympathies to the family of Priory Hall resident Fiachra Daly, who took his own life in July.

“First of all, I wish to express my sympathy to the family.

“This is a perfect example of the legacy we inherited in relation to the defective building control legislation. It is the worst example of Celtic Tiger excess.”

Hogan said that he expects former Justice Joseph Finnegan, to present his plan for a solution to the Priory Hall debacle within the next month. However, he said he could not get involved with the proceedings for fear of affecting the case.

Asked if the Department of Environment would “take out their chequebook”, Hogan said that the department was already paying for alternative accommodation and had proposals to make when the court process is finished.

“It is one of the great tragedies of the Celtic Tiger where the processes at local level, department level and development level did what they liked.

I have changed the regulation so that it will not happen again.

Asked if he was going to solve the problem, Hogan was blunt in saying “I am.”

“I’m going to do so at the end of the court process. I am going to engage with banks on behalf of the homeowners. I am going to look at what the most viable solution for the building itself.

We have a very open mind on the options regarding the building. We may have to demolish it and start again.

“The most important thing is that the families are able to get back together. This has happened through no fault of theirs.” Source: The Irish Examiner