To ask the Minister for Communities to detail (i) how she will protect owners of new buildings which are subsequently found to be unsafe or defective; and (ii) any buildings, other than Victoria Square, Belfast, that are being explored to determine whether they are unsafe.

I have instructed my officials to develop legislation to offer residents in Northern Ireland the same protection as currently offered in other UK jurisdictions. My Department has been made aware of one other building that is currently undergoing continued investigations as recently highlighted in local media, namely Coopers Court. I am unaware of any other buildings currently under review for structural safety concerns.

DfC’s Residential Building Safety Division are currently working to implement the recommendations of the Department of Finance Expert Panel’s report into the safety of high-rise residential buildings in Northern Ireland.