Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)

The Minister gave statistics for the number of inspections carried out. Does he have any in regard to compliance? When the Minister's party was in opposition, Deputy Trevor Sargent raised the issue of low compliance with building regulations, his view at the time being that this was very low. He said he had information from Sustainable Energy Ireland. That related to a different matter of compliance but obviously reflects on compliance in other areas too. Does the Minister have any statistics with regard to actual levels of compliance?

Will he ask local authorities to take action against builders of estates who were discovered in the recent cold spell to have laid their pipes too low? Will he urge that action be taken in regard to the developers and housing estates in question?

Is the Minister considering amending the building regulations to make builders supply items such as rainwater or greywater tanks or dual flush cisterns? Will he ask that more be done in respect of water conservation in upcoming building regulations?

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