Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 29 June 2016
20. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his understanding on the status of a resolution for Longboat Quay residents; and his plans to introduce comprehensive building regulations so this does not happen again. [18479/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe specific matters in relation to the Longboat Quay development are currently before the Courts and, as a consequence, are subjudice. In the circumstances, it would be inappropriate for me to comment on this development 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 and construction by registered construction professionals and builders, lodgement of compliance documentation, mandatory inspections during construction and validation and registration of certificates.
Statutory certificates of compliance, where relevant, must be given at commencement (design only) and completion and must be signed by a registered construction professional (i.e. an Architect or a Building Surveyor or a chartered Engineer who is included on a statutory register maintained respectively by the Royal Institution of Architects of Ireland, the Society of Chartered Surveyors of Ireland or Engineers Ireland). The statutory certificate of compliance on completion must also be signed by the builder.
In effect, the statutory Certificate of Compliance on Completion certifies that a building is compliant with all relevant requirements of the Building Regulations 1997 to 2014.
The Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 2014 were reviewed following their first 12 months in operation. It is clear from this review that the recent reforms have brought a new order and discipline to bear on construction projects. I am confident that as the transition to the new arrangements for the control of building activity continues to progress, these reforms will in time prove capable of transforming the culture of the construction industry in Ireland to one of improved compliance and quality.
