Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)

Regarding amendment No. 11, the important key words are "professional" and "competence". From that perspective, we must ensure that those working in the trade are extremely professional, and the same goes for competence. I would say that generally, regarding doctors and teachers as well as architects. We must have certain standards in such situations. On amendment No. 11, I urge those directly involved in planning and development to listen extremely carefully to disability groups such as the Disability Federation of Ireland, DFI, and the Irish Wheelchair Association, IWA, when they produce sensible proposals on the Building Control Bill 2005. I urge the Minister to pay great attention. I have been asked to raise this by Deputy Harkin, MEP, and Deputy McHugh, who strongly support the IWA and the DFI on this issue.

On amendment No. 11, when one speaks of poor professional performance on the part of a registered professional, one means any failure on his or her part to meet standards of competence that may be reasonably expected of registered professionals practising the profession concerned. What we mean is competence and standards in the profession, and I welcome the amendment.

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