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

I take the view that they can still trade. If it has been proven, through this board, that they had a serious breach in terms of their competence, they can be permanently removed from the register. I referenced whereby competence, in the first instance, involves someone having to display compliance with all the criteria, one of which is the Building Control Act. That is a strong protection.

I concur with the Deputy that this is a significant issue and many families have paid a heavy price in respect of it. I believe that the Bill will go a significant way toward bringing improvements in the construction sector by having a robust register and ensuring people have continuous professional development that they are competent, and if they fail to show competence that the ultimate sanction is that they will be deprived of the right to earn a livelihood and be taken off the register. That is a strong hand that the State is taking with regard to it.