Mr. Aidan O'Connor:

A building control local authority inspection regime will determine the level of inspection required on the basis of risk or the scale of a development. It will make the choice. The code of practice underpinning this documentation, which is akin to a checklist, will highlight what the local authority should do. We are seeking an assigned certifier. A person who operates as an assigned certifier must be competent, as listed in the Building Control and Multi-Unit Developments Acts, which refer to the competence of certain professionals. The certifier may certify the work being carried out by the contractor which he or she is supervising. Under the code of practice, the certifier will have a list of inspections, on which he or she should follow through. If a problem arises or the certifier is refused permission to inspect an item, this must be flagged, which could result in the certifier having to resign from the position rather than certifying the work. In such circumstances, the local authority is immediately alerted and a replacement certifier must be found. Under the new system, certification will mean precisely that.

The Deputy has indicated the new system still amounts to self-certification. One must consider the principle we followed in developing the system, namely, that one must take responsibility for the area of work in which one is engaged. This applies to the architect, engineer, surveyor, electrical contractor, gas installer, timber frame installer and all other suppliers of services, all of whom must take responsibility for the services they provide. Self-certification requires people to put their name on the line. It will not involve words being used in a way that can be misinterpreted. It is not the case that it offers some level of comfort.