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

Section 14(4) enables the architects admissions board to set up an interview at which at least four members of the board would be present. As there will be only three architects on the board, at least one member of an interview board will have to be a non-architect. Amendment No. 50 would require at least two members of an interview board to be other than architects, which is a tying of the hands of the admissions board. I am reluctant to undertake that step. Perhaps the Deputy will reconsider the matter.

Section 19(2) provides that the technical assessment board shall consist of three architects nominated by the registration body and four persons, nominated by the Minister, who are not architects. Amendment No. 50, if made, would require that two of the three architects be in practice. As I said in respect of amendment No. 5, the proposed provisions would serve to restrict the flexibility of the registration board. It might prove difficult to get two architects in practice to be members, whereas there may be no difficulty in appointing architects who have recently retired or work in education.

I understand the background to the proposed amendment. While it is important to ensure that members of the assessment board are informed of latest best practice, nomination of suitable architects may safely be left to the registration board. I ask Deputy Quinn to withdraw his amendment on that basis.

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