Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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168. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will postpone the implementation date for the new building control regulations beyond 1 March next in view of the fact that local authorities are not prepared for its operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10223/14]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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The new Building Control Amendment Regulations will greatly strengthen the arrangements currently in place for the control of building activity, by requiring greater accountability in relation to compliance with Building Regulations in the form of statutory certification of design and construction, lodgement of compliance documentation, mandatory inspections during construction and validation and registration of certificates. The new regulations are necessary following the widespread instances of failure by owners, designers and builders to comply with their statutory obligations under the Building Control Act 1990 to design and construct buildings in accordance with the building regulations.

Every effort has been made to ensure that arrangements are in place for a successful transition to the new building control arrangements on and from 1 March 2014. The new online Building Control Management System (BCMS) has been developed to provide a common platform for clear and consistent administration of building control matters across the local authority sector. Briefing and guidance on the new system has been provided for local authority staff and representatives of the key construction sector professional bodies and the Construction Industry Federation in recent weeks. The definitive Code of Practice for Inspecting and Certifying Buildings and Works, was circulated to industry stakeholders on 7 February 2014.

Standard forms of contracts used for both private and public sector projects fall to be revised to reflect the new regulatory environment. The Government Construction Contracts Committee (GCCC) and the key construction professional bodies both report strong progress in advancing this work within their respective sectors. Briefing and guidance is available within Government and within the private sector to deal with contractual challenges and procurement issues that will inevitably arise as change takes place.

The above measures (i.e. the BCMS, the Code of Practice and guidance on contracting matters) are the key supports necessary to ensure the new regulatory arrangements can work well in practice. As local authorities and industry now move to full implementation, my Department will continue to work with all concerned to ensure that they understand their obligations and the steps necessary to meet them.