Sir, – In the Republic of Ireland, the design of apartment buildings is independently certified as being compliant with the relevant building regulations by the local authority by means of a fire safety certificate.
However, people don’t live in “designs”. They live in built developments and there is currently no independent inspection or certification required for the construction of apartments, something the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland has been calling for since the introduction of the new building control system.
Unless such a measure is introduced, the Government will not be able to say “We did everything we could” should a tragedy like the terrible London fire occur here.
The new Minister with responsibility for building control might make this reform an early priority in the interests of consumer protection and might resource the local authorities appropriately to ensure they have the expert staff for this vital task. – Yours, etc,
JOE KENNEDY, FRIAI
Dún Laoghaire,
Co Dublin.