Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)

The recoupment of costs dealt with in the section refers to costs incurred in the taking of enforcement measures for breaches of any aspect of the building code. I assure the Deputy that in addition to the expenses arising from people trying to dodge their responsibilities, the provision also applies to the costs incurred by the authorities in making an application to the Circuit Court or High Court for the removal, alteration and discontinuation of works in the event of problems being discovered. It also applies to circumstances in which an authority makes a specific provision requiring the making safe of any building or to prohibit, make an order to prohibit or restrict the use of the building, specifically to do so until such time as the necessary fire certification, wheelchair access certification or regularisation certificate is issued. The section makes clear that councils have the right to recoup costs in a wide range of circumstances.

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