Pat Casey (Wicklow, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

My contribution is targeted at the process rather than any individual. I want to put on record my thanks for the offer to me to have an in-depth look at the BCMS system. I will take it up in due time.

I am focused on trying to create significantly more independent oversight of building controls. Currently, there are not sufficient resources at local authority level to do much more. The figures given indicate an increase from 17% inspected in 2014 to 27% in 2015.

I am concerned by the inspections. The BCMS system identifies seven or eight key actions within building construction where potential inspection could take place, such as excavations, foundations, basement, substructure, drainage, superstructure and completion. If one divides the headline figure for inspections by the potential number of sub-inspections that should be happening on one project, it shows that the level of oversight is diluted. Has there been one building project where a complete oversight of all the stages has been independently carried out?

There needs to be oversight from the initial stage where commencement notice and drawings are submitted. In smaller-scale developments, the builder often starts without even construction drawings and is probably operating off planning drawings. This is particularly so for one-off rural houses, a significant number of which are commenced off planning drawings. The potential to opt-out for one-off rural houses is a bad decision. This is equally true for extensions.

Deputy Ó Broin mentioned different types of building. I own a commercial business. I can carry out a significant amount of work in refurbishing the business premises without notifying anybody. I do not need certification. I could probably apply for a fire certificate if there is significant change and would receive that certification.

There is not enough independent oversight of the building industry. I accept that there has been an improvement and significant steps taken because there was nothing there before. The Building Control (Amendment) Regulations, BCAR, system has helped. We need to look at how to ramp up the witnesses' ability to enable further oversight and inspections.