Mr. Mel O'Reilly:

Deputy Ó Broin asked if sufficient time has elapsed to assess whether or not the new building control amendment regulations regime has changed things. It has changed things on the ground but if we are to find any way of assessing that objectively then some more time would be needed. Very few buildings have been completed and occupied over that period to give any kind of representative sample. From a working building contractor on the ground - we build under contract rather than for sale - we can see that the whole regime has changed enormously by what is done at the start with design drawings etc., by the inspections of the ancillary certifiers as well as the assigned certifiers and by what we ourselves do in relation to inspections and the compilation of construction records. There is a cultural change afoot in the industry and it is gaining momentum as time goes by. There are, however, two issues; some more time would need to go by before it is fully right through the industry and - not to beat the drum again - we need some sort of statutory basis for the CIRI. Measures are required to ensure only those who are building properly are allowed to continue to build. This is essential.