Regulation of Providers of Building Works and Building Control (Amendment) Bill 2022: Committee Stage
Seanad Éireann — 2022-05-31
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Sharon Keogan (IND), Industrial and Commercial Panel

I understand how busy the Minister is. If he is not going to accept any of the amendments, I would like him to state that.
I had a group from the Amalgamated Plumbing and Heating Contractors of Ireland in the House. It represents 60% of the industry. There are 3,500 small-to-medium contractors in the mechanical building services sector. They have raised concerns regarding the Bill. The mechanical building services sector is recognised as a separate specialised area. The minimum qualifications are QQI level 6. The new Bill adds an extra layer of regulation and administration. Gas installers are already regulated by the RGI. Oil boiler installations are regulated by OFTEC. The Bill proposes a new regulator for plumbing, namely, the construction industry register Ireland. There are far too many regulatory bodies.
What we need is a stronger regulatory body. This proposal would remove cowboys from the industry. It would reduce the level of unnecessary bureaucracy. It would enhance the sector to deliver on the climate action target and the retrofit plan for the Government. I request the Minister to include that provision if he can. Certainly, the mechanical services have also asked that he would do so.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/seanad/2022-05-31/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:50:31+00:00
Sitting date: 2022-05-31