Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Renua Ireland)
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425. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding building regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35432/15]

Paudie Coffey (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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The arrangements in place for the control of building activity have been greatly strengthened in recent times. The Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 2014 now require greater accountability for compliance with the 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. These regulations place a strong emphasis on competence, professionalism and quality in relation to the design and construction of works and buildings. I am satisfied that they will foster a climate of quality and compliance within the construction industry thereby ensuring that homeowners and clients can rely on getting the high quality homes and buildings they expect and deserve.

Any consumer engaging a builder to undertake building works on their behalf should as a minimum satisfy themselves that the builder is competent to undertake the works concerned (on the basis of having satisfactorily undertaken similar works for others); is tax compliant; is compliant with relevant requirements of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act; and is prepared to sign a contract which may be enforced by civil means should that be necessary.

The Construction Industry Register Ireland (CIRI) has been established as a voluntary register of builders, contractors and specialist trade persons by the Construction Industry Federation (CIF). I understand that over 750 construction entities are currently included on the register which is available online at . Under the Construction 2020strategy, the Government has signalled its commitment to placing the register on a statutory footing. This is seen as an essential consumer protection measure giving consumers who engage a registered builder the assurance that they are dealing with a competent and compliant operator. Legislative proposals in this regard are currently being prepared by my Department with a view to their being presented to Government for consideration in the near future.