Ms Orla Hegarty:

I might take up two points, one of which was to do with a register of completions on new build. We have a register, which came in under the building control (amendment) regulations, BCAR, but it is not available in a very readable format. We have a register that captures most new build with the exception of one-off housing, which was exempted in 2015. Some corrections to that probably could be done relatively quickly under regulation to capture all new builds. That would give accurate data and would be location specific.

On the second point about regulation and change possibly being cost neutral, it would be more efficient on the local authority side in terms of resources and also on the owner's side in terms of the outlay to make a unit viable or to bring space, be it commercial or residential conversions, back into use. Again, that could be done under regulation without the need for primary legislation.