I propose to take Questions Nos. 7 and 48 together. The question of the inoperability of the Act does not arise. Local authorities are at present issuing notices under the Act to owners of multi-storey buildings and the owners have 12 months from the date of service in which to submit the required certificates of appraisal of the buildings to the local authority.
It is understood that some engineers do not wish to sign certain of the certificates for which provision has been made in the Act but will sign others of the certificates. There is no indication that engineers generally are unwilling to sign certificates and, accordingly, I am not aware that vendors of apartments are finding it impossible to obtain such certificates. In fact, some certificates have already been lodged.
Officers of my Department have had a number of discussions with the Institution of Engineers of Ireland about aspects of the implementation of the Act. Any further initiatives in this respect would rest with the institution.