Dáil debates
Wednesday, 12 March 2014
Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions
Building Regulations Application
9:40 am
Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source
The Deputy can do so provided he has an assigned certifier who is registered on the list of professional bodies to stand over the work. I am concerned about the potential for costs to be exploitative initially. The same thing happened in respect of the building energy regulations introduced several years ago by the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. People were charged between €3,000 and €4,000 for certification inspections that cost €150 in the market. The professions have tended to jump on the bandwagon to exploit the customer for what they can get. I advise those who are involved in self-builds to shop around. There are a considerable number of people on the register. One does not need to be an architect to sign off as an assigned certifier;a building surveyor or engineer can also be an assigned certifier provided he or she is a member of a professional body.
I expect Deputy Stanley, of all people, to support the new regulations in light of the experience of Priory Hall, in respect of which professionals and builders like Mr. McFeeley drove a coach and four through the regulations in order to exploit ordinary people who had to pay for the mistakes made by others.
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