Safety Standards in construction a major issue – Tom Parlon, CIF

While the BC(A)R amendments, introduced in 2014 have been widely welcomed throughout the industry, there is a need to increase the level of participation of construction workers in CIRI- the Construction Industry Register Ireland, says the CIF.

Speaking during the conference, Parlon stated that: “While we have seen more than 1,100 company applications to register with CIRI since its establishment last year, we are working with the Government to ensure a greater uptake of registrations and move the registrar towards a statutory footing.  We recognise that there is a trust deficit amongst the general public when it comes to our industry. CIRI is a transparent and progressive means to moving forward and ensuring that our industry is viewed as a regulated and competitive industry.”

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Martin Vaughan, Assistant Principal, Architecture and Building Standards in the Department of Environment, Community & Local Government spoke about the important role that regulation plays in protecting the consumer. He advised that “the registration of competent builders, specialist contractors and tradespersons supports this prime objective of the building control system”. He further advised that the Department is preparing to publish the Heads of Bill by the end of 2015, with the intention of placing CIRI on a statutory basis.

Gillian Murtagh, Chairman of the Midlands Branch of the CIF summarised the conference by saying “We recognise that it is important for these events to happen regionally, bringing information, changes in regulation and open forum for questions and debate. As we all support the development and enforcement of Building Control, changes such as roll back on one-off houses, which traditionally has more of a rural impact, has left many disappointed in its watering down and looking for clarifications. CIF have delivered an excellent event with superb panel of speakers and industry engagement”. BIM Ireland