Skip to main content

Minister Gormley Announces First Phase Commencement of Building Control Act, 2007

03/03/08

Focus on Stricter Building Control Measures

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Mr. John Gormley T.D. today (3rd  March 2008) made a Commencement Order to commence the first phase of the Building  Control Act 2007.

“As the Minister with responsibility for the national Building Regulations, safeguarding and improving building standards is one of my core commitments and I am, therefore, pleased to be able to announce today a range of new measures which will reinforce that commitment” the Minister said.

"With effect from 1 March 2008 the enforcement powers of local Building Control Authorities will be considerably strengthened by the commencement of relevant provisions of the Act", the Minister said.  The relevant provisions are: -

  • increase the maximum penalties for breaches of the national Building Regulations from £800 (punts) to €5,000 on summary conviction; with fines for ongoing offences from £150 (punts) to €500 per day after summary conviction; and from £10,000 (punts) to €50,000 on conviction on indictment;
  • introduce the option for Authorities to bring summary prosecution for all building code offences in the District Court, rather than by way of prosecution on indictment by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in the Circuit Court;
  • provide for the recoupment of costs incurred by Building Control Authorities in taking enforcement action for breaches of the building code and to obtain the benefit of fines resulting from prosecutions brought by them.
  • widen the right of building control authorities to seek an Order  from the High Court or the Circuit Court to stop work on buildings where there is non-compliance with the building code.

"I  have no doubt that, by simplifying the prosecution process and increasing fines,  we will see increased enforcement activity  by local Building Control Authorities to ensure that Ireland's high building control standards are fully adhered to,  the Minister said. "I  regard these new provisions as a major consumer protection measure, in that the enforcement powers of the State’s 37 Building Control Authorities will be greatly strengthened", the Minister concluded.

ENDS

Media queries:
Press and Information Office
Tel: (01) 888 2638  (direct)
(01) 888 2000
E-Mail: press-office@environ.ie
Web site: www.environ.ie

Back

  • Print this page

Publications & Documents

News and Speeches

Legislation