Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I again thank the members for their contributions. We take any breaches of the Building Control Act and the planning Acts very seriously. Some of the examples mentioned have caused heartbreak for people, which is the last thing we want to see happen. It is part of a broader response. Section 44 sets out the grounds for complaint and competence is referred to in section 44(1)(d). Section 28(2)(b) refers to building control regulations in terms of grounds for competence which is important.

Any convictions relating to building control, notices from the court or enforcement notices will be published on the register. That information is available for consumers engaging contractors who may have been convicted in the past or had an order enforced by the courts in the past. That is a very strong safeguard for consumers who are engaging building contractors.

Having a number of State bodies potentially adjudicating on one single case can be a difficulty. In the wider spectrum, including procurement law, many other parts that deliver public infrastructure need to be looked at regarding past performance of building contractors to protect individuals. I believe the Bill is very strong based on what I have said in those two references.