Thomas Byrne (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am delighted to have this opportunity to raise this matter on the Adjournment and thank my colleagues for not availing of the opportunity too often, which lets me in by default much of the time.

This issue relates to the proposal for a so-called grandfather clause with regard to people who can practise as architects. What is the Government doing on this issue? This has been an issue for some time, but the current registration process is time limited and concerns people who are not members of the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland but who effectively do the same job and get the same recognition. I understand this has become more of an issue as banks have tightened up with regard to who can certify planning permission applications, certificates of compliance with building regulations and other general structural assessments of property. It is only right that banks tighten up on this, as there has been too much laxity in recent years. However, there are many people who can do the same job as an officially qualified architect and who have been recognised as qualified until now. What is the Government position on this situation, because there are many practitioners who do not have the official qualifications who are finding the current situation very difficult?