Expert witness: Joint Oireachtas Housing Committee, CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY REGISTER (IRELAND) BILL 26 October 2017

A sustainable and robust construction industry needs an effective building control system, an efficient construction sector, a flexible labour market, and a 'fighting fund' for remedying defects. Any one part cannot be looked at in isolation. Regulation of certain professions, trades, builders and developers is necessary, in the interests of public safety, environmental protection and consumers. Restrictions on activities must be justifiable and proportionate. Targeted robust regulation is required in specific areas of high risk, the legacy of defective and dangerous buildings cannot be repeated. In order to rebuild trust in the construction industry, systems must be fully independent, transparent and subject to oversight.