Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)

Will the Leader contact the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government concerning the building regulations Bill? The legislation has been at the drafting stage for some time and will contain approximately 55 sections. I wish to declare a vested interest in the Bill, concerning the registration of architects and quantity surveyors. At the moment, there is no legislation governing the titles of "architect" or "quantity surveyor". It is time for this matter to be dealt with by way of legislation. Discussions have been going on for some time on the issue, yet the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government has not displayed any urgency in this regard. The Bill is ready for publication. The Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland and members of other professional bodies representing quantity surveyors are anxious that the legislation should be brought before the Oireachtas as quickly as possible. The legislation should receive a hearing in the Seanad first as there is widespread interest in it. With so much construction work going on and with current developments in the building industry, it is important to provide for the registration of architects and quantity surveyors. I ask the Leader to use her good offices to bring the Bill before the House as soon as possible.