Written answers

Thursday, 23 May 2013

Department of Environment, Community and Local Government

Proposed Legislation

Photo of Eric ByrneEric Byrne (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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130. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding the Non-Use of Motor Vehicles Bill 2013 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24807/13]

Photo of Phil HoganPhil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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The Non-Use of Motor Vehicles Bill 2013 makes provision for the charging of an administration fee through secondary legislation. The Bill makes no provision for the charging of a premium over and above the reasonable cost of administration and it cannot, therefore, be used as a tax-raising measure. It was indicated in the Second Stage debate in the Dáil on 24 April 2013 that there is no plan, at present, to prescribe a fee.

Once the Bill is enacted and in operation, where a non-use declaration is made in accordance with the provisions of section 7 and the vehicle in question is not in use in a public place, no liability for motor tax will arise for the duration of that declaration. “Use” in this regard will include keeping or leaving a vehicle stationary.

Photo of Clare DalyClare Daly (Dublin North, Socialist Party)
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131. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to allow an amendment for the Building Control Act 2007 to include an amendment for self trained, trained or unlicensed architects to benefit from a genuine grandfather clause. [24828/13]

Photo of Phil HoganPhil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Part 3 of the Building Control Act 2007 sets out the statutory arrangements for the registration of architects. A variety of routes to registration are provided for in the Act, including specific provision (under section 22) for the registration of practically trained persons who may have no academic qualifications or formal education in the discipline of architecture but who had been performing duties commensurate with those of an architect for a period of ten years prior to the commencement of the Act.

I share the concerns of those who feel that fewer applications have been made to date by practically-trained architects than might reasonably be expected, notwithstanding the provision in that regard in the Act. I have recently asked Mr Garret Fennell, Solicitor, who is currently serving as the Chairperson of the Admissions Board relevant to the register of Architects, to carry out an independent review of the experience to date in relation to the operation of the register with a view to identifying any further improvements that can be made at this point. I have particularly asked for his recommendations or views on how the registration of practically trained architects can be further encouraged.

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