Clare Daly (Dublin North, Socialist Party)
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To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will consider the implementation of an independent certifier as an amendment to the Building Control Regulations as suggested by the Architects Alliance as a key means of preventing abuses in the building control system. [13292/13]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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I refer to the reply to Question No. 177 of 28 February 2013 which sets out the measures now being put in place to prevent the recurrence of failures that have occurred in the construction sector in recent years. I am satisfied that the reforms proposed including the lodgement of drawings, inspection by registered professionals and statutory certification will result in the necessary improvement in the quality of buildings and ensure that homeowners in particular are delivered the quality homes they expect and deserve. The new regulations also place an increased emphasis on reliance on competent persons – the design must be certified by a registered professional, while the building owner is required to assign a competent builder to build and certify the works and, also, to assign a registered professional to draw up and execute an appropriate inspection plan for the building concerned and to certify compliance on completion. It is not intended to constrain the capacity of all-in service delivery models that currently exist in key sectors of the industry. Enforcement powers under the Building Control Acts 1990 to 2007 continue to be vested in the local building control authorities and it is here that independence is required and in place.