Ruairí Quinn
Ceist:11 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the action, if any, he proposes to take to implement the Strategic Review of the Construction Industry, published in April 1997. [16285/97]
Other Questions. - Strategic Review of the Construction Industry.
The report of the Strategic Review of the Construction Industry, Building Our Future Together, was published in June 1997. The report recommended the establishment of a broadly representative forum for the construction industry to oversee detailed implementation of the 86 recommendations contained in the report. I sought nominations from the various representative bodies concerned at the end of July 1997. The nomination process is now virtually complete and I expect to launch the forum before the end of this month.
The forum will endeavour to ensure that the various recommendations are implemented, as far as practicable, in accordance with the timetable in chapter 6 of the report.
I am glad that the forum is about to be established. It was to be established by the end of July, but understandably a new Administration might take longer to think the competition through.
Has the Minister plans to look at the consolidated building regulations and related technical guidance documentation? There is a degree of confusion about the availability of a comprehensive and understandable building regulations procedure for the building industry. It is also necessary to comply with safety.
The Deputy will appreciate that events at the end of May and early June, which culminated in a change of Government on 26 June, had an effect on the establishment of this body. I await the nominations of a number of bodies. Subcommittees of the forum, when established, will go into the many issues raised in the report, including clients' code of practice, information technology, programme registration of titles for architects and quantity surveyors, planning, etc. I will not limit what they may discuss if it is of major interest to the industry. They have a major role to play in ensuring the 86 recommendations are implemented in accordance with the timetable. I will ask them to ensure that is the main focus of their attention.
Has the Minister had the chance to reflect on the registration of architects? Does he plan to establish a national register or does he intend to continue the policy of the previous Administration of seeking an additional listing under the architects directive of newly qualified people?
The Deputy will be aware that a recommendation on the registration of title concerns architects and quantity surveyors. I will not pre-empt any discussions the forum may have on that matter.
May I counsel caution?
You may.