Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein)

I am disappointed in regard to Priory Hall but I hope the Minister's Department is doing everything possible to try to bring about a resolution to that problem.

In terms of where the inspections have fallen down, in most cases local authorities had a part-time person employed to carry out a building control function. Most of them had other jobs as well. It is basically a 19 and a half hours a week job but regarding local authorities, there are two local authorities side by side. In the case of Laois County Council, it is forcing builders who have not complied with building control regulations to do so, and it is taking measures to enforce that. Offaly County Council, on the other hand, seems to be questioning whether it is its role to do that. It appears to be dealing with this problem at arm's length and is questioning the legal basis for it. Will the Minister indicate if the same applies in that case because an estate in Portarlington, Riverside, is clearly not in compliance with the building control regulations? The residents are trying to get some resolution, as is the case in Priory Hall. That case is under the jurisdiction of Offaly County Council. Does Offaly County Council have to step in and enforce those regulations where there has been failure to comply?

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