Vol. 475 No. 4
148 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for the Environment the progress, if any, made with the proposed new technical guidance to accompany the building regulation with regard to places of assembly; the exceptions that are allowed; the reasons for such exceptions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4935/97]
The building regulations require minimum standards to be observed in the design and construction of all new buildings, including buildings used as places of assembly. The only circumstance in which a place of assembly would not be subject to the regulations is where the place of assembly is a building of a temporary nature erected on a site for a period not exceeding 28 consecutive days or 60 days in any period of a year. This exemption reflects the difficulties in practice of applying the building regulations to such buildings.
The technical guidance documents which accompany the building regulations provide advice on how the regulations may be complied with. I propose to publish a revised set of technical guidance documents shortly which will, inter alia, relate to buildings of the kind referred to, other than temporary buildings.
150 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for the Environment his views on basement developments in new residential estates in urban areas; his views on whether there is merit in introducing regulations in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4937/97]
The building regulations require minimum standards to be observed in the design and construction of all new buildings, including dwellings. The regulations apply to all parts of buildings, including basement areas.
