Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 20 Mar 2001

Vol. 532 No. 4

Written Answers. - Construction Industry Regulations.

John Gormley

Ceist:

449 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he is in receipt of a letter from a person (details supplied) dated 1 March 2001; his response to the issues raised in this letter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8216/01]

Minister for the Environment and Local Government (Mr. Dempsey):

The letter to which the Deputy refers was received in my office on 5 March 2001. The author of the letter primarily objects to the administration of a proposed registration system for architects by the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland – RIAI.

The 1997 report of the Strategic Review Committee on the Construction Industry recommended that the title of "Architect" be registered by law; and that the registration system be administered by the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland – RIAI.

The Forum for the Construction Industry – FCI – has submitted relevant detailed proposals for the registration of architects following consultation and agreement with all the architectural bodies, the Association of Building Engineers – ABE – the Architects and Surveyors Institute – ASI – the Group of Independent Architects of Ireland – GIAI – the Irish Architects Society – IAS – and the RIAI.

My Department is currently developing proposals for a building control Bill, which will include provision for the registration of architects, broadly along the lines recommended by the strategic review committee and the forum for the construction industry. The Deputy will appreciate that it would not be appropriate for me to disclose the details of the legislation in advance of approval by the Government. However, an architect who meets the qualifications for registration will not be required to join the RIAI in order to register.