Batt O'Keeffe (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

We did not withdraw this provision. Section 12(2) permits an architectural graduate of the NUI or the Dublin Institute of Technology or any other prescribed education institute to seek an exemption from a professional practice examination where that person can demonstrate that he or she has seven years postgraduate experience commensurate with the duties of an architect. Amendment No. 44 would delete the provision where a person can comply with this exemption by making a statutory declaration that he or she has the requisite experience. If this subsection is deleted, the provision on the exemption continues but the right of the registration body to accept a statutory declaration as compliance no longer exists. It seems to me that the registration body should have the option of accepting a statutory declaration. As drafted it is not a mandatory provision. I would prefer to keep the provision and cannot accept the amendment.

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