asked the Minister for Education the number of architects currently working in Ireland.
30.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Architectural Profession.
29.
asked the Minister for Education the number of architects who are members of (i) the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland, and (ii) any other institutes in Ireland.
31.
asked the Minister for Education if he proposes to introduce legislation regulating and registering the practice of architecture in this country.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 29, 30 and 31 together.
The only information available to me on the number of architects currently working in Ireland is that the 1971 census of population shows that there were 1,935 surveyors and architects at that time.
On the question of membership of institutes the position is that these are all private associations and I have no function in relation to them.
On the question of legislation regulating and registering the practice of architecture in this country I may state that a proposal for an EEC directive in relation to architects has been the subject of discussions for many years and that such a draft directive is still under consideration. The question of legislation may in due course need to be considered in connection with proposals in this regard from the EEC.
Has responsibility for the architectural profession been transferred to the Minister's Department from the Department of Industry, Commerce and Tourism, and if so when?
Offhand, 1974.
That is not so. The Minister is wrong. It is certainly since 1977.
Meetings of a council working group to discuss the draft were attended by officers of the Department of Education in 1974 and during 1977.
I asked when the Minister took ministerial responsibility to answer in the Dáil in respect of the architectural profession. Is the Minister not aware that until 1977 this was a matter for the Department of Industry and Commerce?
When this question came to me, not that I wanted to get rid of it, but I asked that question and was assured that it was now under the Department of Education.
The Minister was misled.
I am prepared to examine that and if I have been misled I will transfer it.
I dealt with this in the Department of Industry and Commerce.
At that time the Deputy had the brief for both Departments.
I dealt with it in my official capacity in the Department of Industry and Commerce.