Mr. Paraig Cantwell:

We welcome the idea of local authorities taking on more staff to carry out more inspections, particularly more clerks of works. I can see where Mr. Peter Hynes is coming from. It would be a big financial burden under the current set-up with taking on local authority employees.

The issue of technical guidance documents for existing buildings is definitely a good idea but as Mr. Hynes said we should draw a line so there will not be grey areas. It would have to be very clearly defined which technical guidance documents one would work to for existing buildings. They are our main ideas.