Ireland's Building Controls Revision Planned

Ireland's building control systems are to be strengthened in a move that will also protect consumers.

The Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Phil Hogan, announced that he move this week and said: "Since taking up office I have clearly signalled that consumer protection in the area of quality construction of new dwellings is a top priority for me.

"I am acutely aware of the difficult and distressing situations faced by many homeowners and tenants who, through no fault of their own, are dealing with the consequences of unfinished estates, pyrites problems and other building defects.

"The only appropriate response to such legacy issues is to strengthen the system to ensure such problems do not visit us again," he said.

The plan to reform the building control system was devised by the Department, in conjunction with the Building Regulations Advisory Body and a Building Control Steering Group.

It includes the introduction of mandatory certificates of compliance by builders and designers of buildings demonstrating that the statutory requirements of the Building Regulations have been met and more efficient pooling of building control staff and resources across the local authority sector to ensure more effective and meaningful oversight of building activity.

There will also be a standardised approaches and common protocols to ensure nationwide consistency in the administration of building control functions and new measures for the support and further development of the building control function nationwide.

The Minister has now asked the Department to bring the proposals to public consultation at an early date saying: "It is clear from consultation to date with stakeholders (both private and public sector) across the industry that there is a broad consensus that there is a need for change.

"Implementation arrangements will now be subject to full consultation with all relevant stakeholders and members of the public in particular who will be invited to have their say in the matter."

(BMcC)