The report recommends that Minister for Housing James Browne seek a derogation from public procurement rules governing the purchase of urgent fire-safety work. Photograph: Conor Ó Mearáin/Collins Photo AgencyDraft laws should be amended to give a carve-out to public procurement rules so “life-saving” safety systems can be installed in defective apartment blocks, the Oireachtas Committee on Housing has recommended. A report from the committee, on legislation enabling a multibillion-euro scheme to remediate defective apartments and duplexes, was published on Thursday. It also recommends that Minister for Housing James Browne seek a derogation from public procurement rules governing the purchase of urgent fire-safety work. Group spokesman Pat Montague said the application of public procurement rules was a major factor in the time it is taking to process such applications.

Source: The Irish Times January 29, 2026 15:01 UTC