Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

We will be opposing this amendment. The amendment seeks to require an applicant for registration to provide evidence that he or she is eligible for latent defects insurance. Latent defects insurance is taken out on a project-by-project basis and is it is not practical that the registration should be conditioned on the possession of or eligibility for such insurance. While a builder of residential or non-residential buildings should possess such insurance, other categories or providers of building works such as bricklayers and plasterers do not require it. It is worth noting that while latent defects insurance is not a mandatory requirement, lending institutions and consumers are likely to demand it. I recognise that this is an important consumer product, particularly in the residential market, and I will review how this product is further promoted and encouraged so that consumers are aware of it. This would have the effect of encouraging the take-up of latent defects insurance.

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