�山ǿ��

The news comes as thousands of homes across Ireland have been affected by defective building blocks that have led to houses crumbling, with some having to be demolished.

While the problem is known as the ‘Mica crisis’ it has been suggested that high levels of the mineral pyrite in the block could be to blame.

Both mica and pyrite are found in rock excavated in quarries used for building blocks. If too much of either mineral is present in the blocks, they can absorb excessive amounts of water, causing defects that eventually lead to the blocks crumbling or cracking.

An estimated 20,000 homes, particularly around the north Donegal area, are thought to be affected.

The Irish government has introduced a redress scheme for affected home owners that totals billions of euros but it has attracted criticism for not fully meeting the cost of reconstruction.

In a letter of formal notice published late last month, the European Commission said it was opening an infringement procedure against Ireland for not carrying out market surveillance as required by the Construction Products Regulation.

Acknowledging the “very serious damage” to homes, the letter said, “The Construction Products Regulation requires authorities to monitor the manufacturing and placing on the market of construction products before they are used.

“According to the Commission’s findings, the Irish authorities limited their monitoring activities to finished buildings or finalised civil engineering projects. The limitation of market surveillance activities to on-site measures endangers the free circulation of safe construction products in the Union.”

Ireland now has two months to respond and address the shortcomings raised by the Commission.