Seán Kenny (Dublin North East, Labour)
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On compliance certificates and the certification process in general, Oppermann Associates, one of the largest architect firms in Dublin, carried out the certification process for Priory Hall. It subsequently emerged that the electrical wiring work on the estate was substandard and dangerous and gas fittings did not include isolation handles to enable people to switch off the gas supply in the event of a fire. If a fire had broken out, it would have developed into a raging inferno, not only because the brickwork did not have fire insulation but also owing to other serious defects in the construction. These dangerous defects were not highlighted in the certification process.

The comment in the report that much could be done to improve the system from a regulatory perspective is the understatement of the century. A vast amount of work must be done to improve the system. May members raise questions about the new building regulations?