Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the two witnesses here today and it was a good move on the part of this committee to engage in pre-legislative scrutiny. It is something we were not initially considering but after some debate it was decided it would happen by the committee. It was the right thing to do. The witnesses have raised a number of interesting and key points but we need to tease them out further. Anybody partaking in this debate, whether from the construction industry or on this committee, recognises we need a sustainable and robust construction industry that is effective in terms of building control. It should be an efficient sector that is also flexible in respect of the labour market and for the needs of this economy, particularly with respect to housing, construction, development of industry and all that goes with it. It is something we are all in favour of and it is really important. We are starting on the premise that it is what we want and need or at least it is what I believe we need.

Ms Hegarty has raised a number of matters but we need a bit more meat on them. She spoke about inadequate consumer protection, particularly for home buyers, with no mechanism for consumer redress. We need to tease that out. I am really interested in inherent conflicts of interest in CIRI. I can see how people would see that and it is important not only that it be transparent but that the public is assured on this issue. We must also note what Ms Ní Fhloinn stated, in that the building control authorities have failed for years. I know from my personal experience pursuing building control matters that nothing has happened and this is blamed on resourcing. There is something in between. Who will ultimately control this and run it efficiently and effectively, genuinely pushing to get resolutions? Ms Ní Fhloinn spoke about her own experience and research in the area and we must acknowledge that building control authorities have failed. We need to get behind the reason they failed. Is it down to resourcing or expertise? Were they really interested or driven by it? All this must be consumer-based. Will Mr. Hegarty address the matter of restrictions on the activities of builders and trades not in compliance with European Union law?

It was indicated there is no mention in the Bill of Acts relating to freedom of information, ethics in public office or being subject to the Ombudsman. I do not know if those are envisaged so we need to tease that out later in this committee. Will the witnesses address those issues? I thank them again for two really interesting reports that raise many questions we did not deal with or consider in any great detail.