Sir, – Some are sceptical about the costs of an independent system of building control. In fact, a robust and effective system of stage inspections could be delivered at a fraction of the cost of the present system and provide greater consumer protection. The 2014 regulations (Statutory Instrument 9) transposed the previous ad hoc system of self-regulation into law; the system is unreliable, inherently inefficient and unnecessarily bureaucratic.
Independent inspections at critical stages of construction could be funded by increasing the €30 commencement notice fee. Local authorities (or private inspectors under their control) could drive a change in culture by using their powers to enter sites and stop works, neither of which is available under SI 9. Furthermore, there are efficiencies to be made in using national standards, dedicated systems and focused inspectors.
SI 9 will not prevent another Longboat Quay and it is expensive to deliver. In more ways than one, we are paying a very high price for self-regulation. – Yours, etc,
ORLA HEGARTY, MRIAI
UCD School of Architecture,
Planning & Environmental
Policy,
Richview,
Dublin 14.