Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 20 October 2011
31 Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on new legislation to cover the area of consumer protection in the construction sector as it relates to homeowners; if so, the areas that will be covered by such changes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30246/11]
View answerI attach high priority to consumer protection in the area of quality construction of new dwellings. That is why, in July 2011, I announced a number of measures to be advanced by my Department and local authorities with a view to improving compliance with, and oversight of, the requirements of the Building Regulations.
In broad terms the measures will involve:—
(a) the introduction of mandatory certificates of compliance by builders and designers of buildings confirming that the statutory requirements of the Building Regulations have been met;
(b) more efficient pooling of building control staff and resources across the local authority sector to ensure more effective and meaningful oversight of building activity;
(c) standardised approaches and common protocols to ensure nationwide consistency in the administration of building control functions;
(d) better support and further development of the building control function nationwide.
Implementation of these measures is being advanced as quickly as possible in consultation with the relevant stakeholders and I have asked my Department to give the matter priority attention. The regulations required to give effect to the introduction of mandatory certification are currently being prepared and will be the subject of industry and wider public consultation in the near future. The implementation of the other measures will be progressed by local authorities in consultation with my Department in the context of the wider programme of achieving greater efficiencies in the local government system.
32 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans for legislation governing the registration of septic tanks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30247/11]
View answer36 Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if there will be any further charge on septic tanks aside from the registration charge; if septic tanks will have to be re-registered on an annual basis; his plans to introduce any further charges connected to septic tanks in the future; and if he will provide the details of same. [30307/11]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 32 and 36 together.
I expect to bring the Bill to establish a system of registration and inspection of septic tanks and other on-site systems to Government shortly seeking approval for its publication. Full details of how the new system will operate will be announced at the time.
I can confirm that the new legislation will provide that householders register details of their on-site systems on a national register and that a modest fee of no more than €50 will be charged for registration. Registration will be valid for a period of 5 years and there are no plans to introduce any further charges.
