Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 February 2014
528. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will defer the new Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 2014, SI No. 9 of 2014, to allow further examination in line with those requests from the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland, RIAI, and to provide for third party inspection. [8265/14]
View answerThe new Building Control Amendment Regulations will greatly strengthen the arrangements currently in place for the control of building activity by requiring greater accountability in relation to compliance with Building Regulations in the form of statutory certification of design and construction, lodgement of compliance documentation, mandatory inspections during construction and validation and registration of certificates. The new regulations are necessary following the widespread instances of failure by owners, designers and builders to comply with their statutory obligations under the Building Control Act 1990 to design and construct buildings in accordance with the building regulations. Arrangements for a smooth transition to the new regulatory environment on 1 March 2014 are well in hand and my Department will continue to work with all parties to ensure they understand their obligations and the steps necessary to meet them.
As regards the issue of third party certification, it is not clear what useful purpose would be served by imposing a requirement for independent verification of design or construction by a third party as suggested. The merits of a designer overseeing the implementation of their design cannot be overlooked. Neither is there any intention to constrain the capacity of all-in service delivery models in key sectors of the industry. Enforcement powers under the Building Control Acts 1990 to 2007 continue to be vested in the local building control authorities and it is here that independence is called for and in place. The RIAI are supportive of the new Regulations.
