A call has been made for the Government to create legislation that will ensure strict building regulations are enforced.

The Society of Chartered Surveyors (SCS) said tougher laws are needed to make certain construction projects in Ireland meet required standards. The society is holding its annual conference today.

Building control in Ireland relies on "self-certification" by architects, engineers, surveyors or builders that new buildings comply with statutory requirements – a light-touch regulatory regime introduced in 1990 by then minister for the environment Pádraig Flynn.

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SCS want provisions made for qualified independent inspectors to be appointed to all building works.

They claim the current policy of self-certification has failed to ensure a satisfactory standard of construction, due to a lack of regular inspections and enforcement procedures.

The society pointed out that the UK and the rest of Europe have far more stringent regulations in place.

The group has said Ireland should follow the example of the UK and make sure approved independent inspectors work with developers before, during and after construction to check that building regulations are being complied with.

As well as this they want the amount of random inspections of developments to be increased.

According to the society under the current system, only 10% to 15% of developments are inspected.

(LB/BMcC)