Northern Ireland's district councils will become the enforcement authority for Energy Performance Certificates from the start of December, Finance Minister Sammy Wilson has said.

The Minister made the announcement as he delivered the keynote speech at the Building Control Northern Ireland Annual Convention in Belfast this week.

Mr Wilson welcomed the close working relationship his department has with District Council Building Control.

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"For some months now officials from my department, and Building Control, have been working together to develop protocols and procedures to allow the transfer to district councils of enforcement duties under the Energy Performance of Buildings (Certificates and Inspections) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008."

The Minister continued: "A new Statutory Rule has been made that will transfer the enforcement authority for Energy Performance Certificates, Display Energy Certificates and Air Conditioning Inspections from my Department to district councils."

He said the Department of Finance and Personnel would continue to enforce these regulations in respect of council buildings.

The legislation will come into operation on 3 December.

(PR/BMcC)