This entry is a continuation from the first Blog about the proposed bill to amend the Building Control Act by John O Donoghue TD. It is a plea to Minster Gormley to protect the people who have stepped up to the mark, agreed with the set procedures and complied with the requirements of the legislation as set down by the Building Control Act. The proposed amendment specifically excludes compliance with the basic minimum EU standards for the education of Architects. In principle this alone must send alarm bells sounding in the ministers ears. Not to mention Deputy O Donoghue's or John Curran TD who has been quoted as confirming the Government would not oppose this bill. Wake up Guys. Do we really think that a light touch approach to regulation will work and if so can we think of any models for this method of regulation recently which worked? I refer to the financial crisis which was caused in no small part by major regulatory failures and this government needs to stand up and be counted and set the standards high even if it is only from now on.

I'm a registered Architect. I have been through the assessment process which was a huge amount of additional work at a time when things were starting to get tough. I have 25 years experience in the world of Architecture and have been involved in many large and small projects. I did not feel I was above assessment or thought I should be included on a register without due examination. Why would I be afraid of such a system? Would I have been happy to just sign a legal declaration stating I have worked for seven or more years to be included on the register? YES of course, however would the general public be confident of my capabilities, I doubt it. I still struggle to survive in our new world and my few customers deserve the right to protection when they employ an Architect. Everyone now shops around before outlaying money on such services and it is important that we are all quoting and providing the customer with a defined standard. The register allow for a sound footing for customers to start from.

All of the Governments efforts over the last two years has been in bailing out the bankers and protecting our good name on the foreign market. We are told daily that these billions are spent to convince the bond markets that Ireland is a serious player and are willing to do what it takes to recover. Please do not now show the international community that we have learned nothing from the crisis and that we are willing to get back to old ways so soon. The cement truck driven into the gates of leinster House was only the tip of the iceburg of anger among the general public at the lack of leadership and action by this government, and backing down or pandering to local interest will not help.

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