Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 April 2014
405. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will support the amendment of building control laws which came into effect on 1 March 2014 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17496/14]
View answerI refer to the replies to Questions Nos. 259, 268, 269 and 285 dated 4 March 2014 and to Question No. 132 of 26 March 2014 which deal comprehensively with the implications of the Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 2014 for the self-build sector of the housing market.
The amended regulations, among other things, reinforce the principle that building works should be undertaken by competent persons. This is in keeping with the Building Control Act 1990 which places a statutory obligation on owners, designers and builders to design and construct a building in accordance with the requirements of the building regulations . This obligation applies in all sectors of the building industry, including the self-build sector. Given that an owner who is satisfied that they are competent to take on the responsibility of builder may continue to do so under the Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 2014, the need to amend the regulations along the lines suggested does not arise.
