Vol. 522 No. 4
16 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the plans, if any, he has for the registration or licensing of builders and building contractors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18658/00]
The 1997 report of the Strategic Review Committee on the Construction Industry included a recommendation for a registration system for building contractors and subcontractors. The report recommended that an independent body be established, by the construction industry, to administer the system.
In December 1999, the forum for the construction industry submitted an interim report setting out preliminary proposals for the registration of contractors, the implementation of which would require legislation to protect the title of registered contractor.
I accept the forum's proposals, in principle, subject to a number of modifications which are principally designed to enhance the coverage and independence of the registration system, in the interest of consumer protection. My Department conveyed my views to the forum on 23 February 2000. The chairman wrote to me by letter dated 13 June 2000 conveying the response of the relevant forum task force dealing with this issue. I understand that this letter was the subject of discussion by the overall forum last Tuesday, 27 June 2000 and that the views of the forum on the task force report will be conveyed to me shortly.
I hope to be in a position to submit relevant legislative proposals to the Government in the autumn.
