Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 17 November 2016
76. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the status of his Department’s ongoing engagements with Dublin City Council residents and other interested parties in Longboat Quay Dublin; and the steps being taken by the relevant authorities to deal with the outstanding building regulations and fire compliance issues at that site. [35443/16]
View answerThe specific matters in relation to the Longboat Quay development are currently before the Courts and, as a consequence, are sub judice. In the circumstances, it would be inappropriate for me to comment on the matter at this time.
In response to the many building failures that have emerged over the past decade, my Department introduced the Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 2014, which provide for greater accountability in relation to compliance with Building Regulations in the form of statutory certification of design, lodgement of compliance documentation, mandatory inspections during construction and validation and registration of certificates.
Part B of the Building Regulations 1997 (as amended), sets out the legal requirements in relation to fire safety in respect of new buildings and in respect of existing buildings undergoing works involving an extension, material alteration or a material change of use. The requirements under Part B represent the national statutory minimum standards of fire safety provision applicable to the construction of new buildings and dwellings.
The Building Regulations are subject to continuous review and improvement in the light of technical progress, changes in standards and construction practices as well as developments within the construction industry. In this context, a review of Part B of the Building Regulations is now at an advanced stage; a public consultation in the matter has recently closed and my Department is currently reviewing the responses received.
