Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)

I agree with the Minister that defaulters do not comply with the regulations set down and cause serious danger to members of the public or whoever occupies the building or buildings. They may not provide adequate access in the correct manner. Now that we have arrived at this section the Minister might like to comment on my earlier query on the strength of buildings. The relevant authority could serve a notice on a person to the effect that a building was not strengthened adequately in a particular way or that the construction was not carried out in a way that would protect people who would use the building. How will that process be continued? Adequate provisions are in place for carrying out checks at various stages of construction, including the pouring of foundations. It can be difficult for local authorities to carry out inspections when a series of large building projects are under way in the area. Will the Minister comment?

In the past, the tendency was to err on the side of safety by ensuring that structures exceeded requirements. Taking a safe bet approach was good. Modern construction is slightly different because weights, load transfers and so forth are tested to a much finer degree than in the past. This, too, may be good. Are the current procedures in place adequate to achieving this task?

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