Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)

I agree with Deputy Wallace; there is no point in having any regulations if it is not possible to enforce them. In 2010, 82 enforcement notices were served by building control authorities, compared to 36 the year before. A clerk of works system is what the Deputy and I know best in terms of ensuring proper compliance with building control, and that is why I am trying to pool resources in local authorities to do precisely what the Deputy has advocated today. I am considering that intensely at the moment and examining whether we can obtain the necessary staff, notwithstanding the reduction in staff in local authorities generally, to ensure proper compliance with building regulations in future.

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