An estimated £2.4 million will be needed to carry out urgent health and safety repairs to the roof at Stormont buildings due to ongoing leaks.
Buckets of water have been seen in the middle of corridors in Parliament Buildings, which SDLP MLA Patsy McGlone described on Tuesday as “not ideal”.
It comes as MLAs heard the long-running problems with the leaking roof at Parliament Buildings are the subject of legal proceedings.
The Assembly Commission faced questions from DUP MLAs Harry Harvey and Keith Buchanan over plans for repair work on Tuesday.
In an update provided to MLAs, DUP MLA and member of the Commission Trevor Clarke said the remedial work could now proceed at an estimated cost of £2.4 million.
He told MLAs that work had been delayed while legal proceedings were issued against firms, and stressed they are taking the matter “extremely seriously”.
Damp and buckets to combat roof leaks within Stormont buildings have been common sights for MLAs and staff in the last decade, with almost £7 million having been spent already in attempts to address the issue
The remedial work to be carried out after the summer recess could bring the total costs of attempting to fix the roof to almost £10 million.
Mr Clarke told MLAs: “Until recently, the Assembly Commission has refrained from undertaking a full range of remedial works based on advice that this could prejudice legal position of the commission.
“The Assembly Commission received advice in February this year due to the ongoing deterioration and associated health and safety concerns, and following the exchange of expert architect and engineer reports with the two defendants, the legal position had changed, and that the Assembly Commission could now undertake remedial work to address all of the defects.
“As a result, the Assembly Commission is now moving forward to appoint contractors under a construction and procurement delivery framework to undertake immediate health and safety repairs and to scope out the full range of remedial repairs required.
“The initial health and safety works will be carried out over the summer. The full remedial works will prevent any further deterioration, address the issues related to the damage to stonework, and will resolve the ongoing issues of water ingress within Parliament buildings.
“The Assembly Commission will continue its legal action to recover the full costs of these repairs.”
Mr Clarke was asked what the costs would be for the repairs to make the roof safe.
“In terms of the current indicative costs for all the necessary remedial works is in the region of £2.4 million,” he said.
“These costs were produced as part of the ongoing litigation process.
“Accurate costings will only be available when the scope and requirements for these works has been finalised and tendered.”
