Madam, - A depressing aspect of the recent RTÉ Prime Time documentary on the activities of rogue architects was the revelation that, once again, our legislators have been found wanting in their duty to protect the public.
We are apparently one of the few countries in the developed world where, in the absence of legislation establishing a register of qualified architects, anyone can set up in business - with quite disastrous economic consequences for clients, not to mention the potential dangers of non-compliance with planning regulations. Although legislation has been promised since 2002 the best the Department of the Environment could come up with, when questioned, was that an appropriate Bill would be published "some time next year" (The Irish Times, March 26th).
To meet the changing needs of a modern society it is essential that the legislature should be pro-active rather than reactive.There is, however, little evidence that this is happening, or even about to happen, despite endless talk about the need for reform. - Yours, etc.,
M.D. KENNEDY, Silchester Park, Glenageary, Co Dublin.