Caít Keane (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister. The previous speakers have confused SI 105 with another statutory instrument. SI 105 deals specifically with compliance and applies to a limited range of publicly owned buildings. Self-build and private builds are not covered by it. I am a member of the environmental committee, which dealt with building control regulations. I have become well acquainted with the subject over the past 18 months and it has been a learning curve. The Fennelly report makes good recommendations and the changes that are being implemented are intended to strengthen building controls and, most important, to protect consumers. The emphasis placed by the Minister on consumer protection throughout Bills, statutory instruments and regulations is paramount and he should be commended for that.

Fianna Fáil Members say they want regulations, certification and so on but it is a bit like "Make me holy but not yet". There is a great deal of scaremongering as well similar to during the debate on septic tanks about how many thousands of euro they would cost, which was not the case.

The new building control regulations had to be implemented because of the legacy of a poorly regulated and non-existent inspection regime during the housing boom. We are well aware of the unacceptable cases that have been highlighted in recent years. Consumers were crying out for more stringent regulations and certification systems. Unfortunately, there were not in place and many residents were left in, at best, shoddy living conditions and, at worst, dangerous conditions. This should not be accepted in a developed country and the Minister has acted to introduced amendments to the legislation. This statutory instrument applies to a limited range of public and privately owned buildings.

I was a member of a local authority for 20 years. I want to ensure the Minister will look into the issue of inspections. Such inspections place an additional onus on local authorities. The Minister has stated in the past that the Department will continue to work with all concerned to ensure local authorities understand their obligations and take the steps necessary to meet them.

I would like the Minister to comment on that. It is important that the local authorities be facilitated and that they be able, ready and willing to carry out the stipulated duties. The alternative need of compliance applies to a limited number of buildings.

On the self-build projects that the Minister mentioned, there has been a lot of speculation in the media. I have received queries on the perceived increased cost and the new regulations. On having done some research, I understand there is no change at all in the technical performance standards that a newly finished home must meet. The statutory obligations that currently exist in a self-build scenario are not new. They already apply under the Building Control Act 1990. I ask the Minister to confirm that the result of my research is true.

As before, buildings must be built in accordance with the building regulations. The change that will occur is in the certification costs outlined. I do not know where the additional building cost arises but I am not a builder. It has been stated there is an additional cost but I do not believe there is one. Certification, if carried out properly, competently-----