Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)

I agree with Deputy Wallace's comments on supervision and accountability. Mandatory accountability means developers will be accountable in law and there will be no doubt about the responsibilities. I repeat my earlier comments. The Minister, Deputy Hogan, is particularly concerned that there should be more efficient pooling of building control staff and resources across the local authority sector to ensure more effective and meaningful oversight of building activity, which is the point made very well by the Deputy. The reason the new mandatory regulations will take about 12 months to finalise is that proper and comprehensive consultation will have to take place with all the stakeholders, professional bodies and people concerned, and that process is currently under way.

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