Proinsias De Rossa
Ceist:15 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for the Environment when he will publish the building regulations required under the Building Control Act, 1990; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Building Regulations.
Work is proceeding in my Department on the preparation of regulations to be made under the Building Control Act, 1990. At this stage, it is not possible to give a precise time scale for the making of regulations. I will make an announcement about the matter in due course.
Will the Minister give a definition of "in due course"? What does it mean? When the Building Control Act was debated, Members on this side expressed concern about the delay in the preparation of building regulations and it now appears that our fears are confirmed. At that stage, the Minister gave the House an assurance that there would not be a delay. Will he now give an indication when the regulations will be made so that there is no confusion in regard to building control arrangements and the implementation of the new Act?
The fears which the Deputy expressed in the House on a previous occasion are still groundless. The proposed building regulations were published by the Department and local authorities and the building industry had been asked to observe the requirements in the drafts pending implementation of the statutory basis. There was criticism that they were too complex and a new format is being developed to cater for this matter. I hope that the final drafts of the regulations will be available in about two months and that the regulations can be made at that stage.
I want to ask the Minister three questions. In regard to the seven local authorities which currently operate building by-laws, will the Minister make an order under the 1990 Act stating quite clearly that the legal regulations being administered by those authorities are the building regulations which are currently published? This would remove the ambiguity, cost and duplication currently experienced by people who have to apply for planning permission and by-law approval.
I cannot give a positive reply to that.
Will the Minister indicate the position in relation to fire standards for fire officers thoughout the country? Will he indicate whether he has issued invitations to the various representatives of the building industry, including the social partners, in relation to establishing the building regulations advisory committee?
No, I have not.
Why is there a delay?
I want to get the new format right because it was much too complex and was causing difficulties to the industry. When that is completed we will move on to the question of control. Those matters should be decided before we discuss the advisory committee.
Is the Minister saying that the technical regulations are being redrafted?
No. I said that they had already been published and that we were asking builders and local authorities to implement them on a voluntary basis. There was criticism that they were too complex and difficult to understand and, therefore, consideration is being given to making regulations containing simple, functional requirements which will be supported by separate technical guidelines. This is in response to the industry and it will make life easier for everyone. However, it is taking a little extra time to get the format right although I expect it will be completed in about two months.