Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 608: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the recommendations of the Competition Authority regarding architects that he has implemented to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4681/08]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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The Report of the Competition Authority, Competition in Professional Services — Architects, was published in March 2006. The Report contained a number of recommendations in regard to the legislative proposals which were contained in the Building Control Bill 2005, which was then before the Oireachtas, for registration of the titles of building professionals, including that of "Architect". The Bill was subsequently enacted in April 2007, and provided, inter alia, for four new structures for the registration of the professions of Architects, Quantity Surveyors and Building Surveyors, viz, an Admissions Board; a Technical Assessment Board; a Professional Conduct Committee and an Appeals Board.

The following recommendations of the Report were accepted and included in the Building Control Act 2007:

Chairpersons of the four Boards/Committee to be appointed directly by the Minister;

Architectural representation on Boards/Committee to be on the basis of election by registered Architects, except for the first appointments;

Use of unrelated titles incorporating the word "Architect", such as "Architectural Technician", so as not to restrict the use of such titles;

Code of Conduct on professional standards to be subject to public consultation and to consultation with the Competition Authority, together with any subsequent amendments to it;

Quorum at meetings of Boards/Committee to have majority of lay members;

Specific role of other persons appointed by Registration Body to assist in the administration of the registration scheme.

I propose to make the necessary Commencement Order shortly to commence the main Parts of the Building Control Act 2007, including Part 3 dealing with the Registration of Architects.