Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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Question 323: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the steps he is taking to address the non-representation of non-registered architects within the Building Regulations Advisory Body; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32773/11]

Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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Question 324: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will acknowledge the role RIAI certified architects play in the design of buildings according to fire safety regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32774/11]

Robert Dowds (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 347: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will consider the introduction of a robust construction inspection regime, including mandatory inspections after the completion of every phase of building work, to ensure that standards in construction are improved and that scenarios such as that in Priory Hall, Dublin are never allowed to occur again. [33281/11]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 323, 324 and 347 together.

The Building Regulations Advisory Body (BRAB) is a statutory body whose primary function is to advise the Minister on matters relating to the Building Regulations. All proposals to change the Building Regulations are subject to public consultation and anyone with an interest in such matters is welcome to contribute their views in this way. Thus, while membership of BRAB is necessarily limited to a relatively small grouping of both private industry and public sector representatives, the opportunity exists for all concerned individuals and groups to contribute to the ongoing review of the Building Regulations in a real and meaningful way.

The responsibilities of owners, designers and builders/developers in relation to the design and construction of buildings are clearly set out under the Building Control Acts 1990 and 2007.

In July 2011, I announced a number of measures to be advanced by my Department and local authorities with a view to improving compliance with, and oversight of, the requirements of the Building Regulations.

In broad terms the measures will involve:-

(a) the introduction of mandatory certificates of compliance by builders and designers of buildings confirming that the statutory requirements of the Building Regulations have been met;

(b) more efficient pooling of building control staff and resources across the local authority sector to ensure more effective and meaningful oversight of building activity;

(c) standardised approaches and common protocols to ensure nationwide consistency in the administration of building control functions;

(d) better support and further development of the building control function nationwide.

The mandatory certification and improved inspection arrangements outlined above are key reforms which, I believe, will have the capacity to improve the quality of buildings and will lead to further strengthening of the regulatory regime as early as possible in 2012.