Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Ó Broin.

On 20 January 2023, I launched a three-month public consultation on proposed amendments to Part B of the building regulations relating to fire safety. The proposed changes aim to improve fire safety in new buildings and support the reuse of existing buildings by simplifying, clarifying, and rationalising fire safety requirements. This public consultation is the culmination of a review of Part B of the building regulations and the associated technical guidance document B, which was necessitated by a number of issues, including changes in the design and construction of buildings and the use of new and innovative building systems and materials. The review also took common and emerging building trends into account. In carrying out the review, specific regard was given to the holistic requirements of the building regulations in Ireland as well as the framework of administration set out under the building control regulations. In addition, fire safety, planning, and Irish health and safety laws were considered along with Irish policy documents such as Housing for All and Fire Safety in Ireland: the Report of the Fire Safety Task Force 2018.

Fire safety regulations for dwelling houses were updated in 2017 and the current public consultation relates to fire safety requirements in all other buildings, which I have no doubt Deputy Ó Broin is aware of. Details of the public consultation can be found on my Department's website, and I encourage all interested parties to make a submission before the closing date of 21 April 2023. There is keen interest in the public consultation and we expect a large number of submissions. My Department will review the submissions and finalise the technical guidance and regulatory statements and regulations. The intention is to work towards having these finalised and published towards the end of the year. It may go into early next year but the intention is to have that done towards the latter end of the year at the earliest.

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